1975:050 - CARROWNAGLOGH, Mayo

Excavation continued during 1975 to uncover, map and investigate the prehistoric cultivation under peat in the central area of the walled enclosure at this site. The cultivated surface now uncovered in this sector is 2758 sq.m in area. This is laid out in three parallel cuttings, 8, 8 and 7m wide, running N-S.

The main body of cultivation is laid out in parallel ridges running roughly E-W across the hill-slope, the average width of the ridges being 1.5m. These are continuous throughout the three main cuttings now open. In other areas of the field where small trial-cuttings have been made, the ridges take the same general direction. To N and S of this central band of cultivation, shorter ridges run at right angles in a roughly N-S direction. At the upper N end, they end under spill from the field-wall, whereas at the lower end they end in a distinct edge about 1.5m from the wall, indicating that this wall was in existence when these ridges were made.

A number of heaps of small stones, interpreted as clearance-heaps dating to the period of cultivation, are scattered throughout this cultivated area, two particularly large ones being sited where the central E-W system joins the shorter systems to N and S of it.

At the S end of the central area, there is an opening 20m wide between two parts of the wall. This feature was earlier interpreted as an entrance, but in 1975 it was found to be completely covered with ridge cultivation. Part of this cultivated area has a criss-cross ridge pattern interpreted as an earlier and later series of ridges running at right angles to one another. Preliminary investigation shows that ridge cultivation probably extends at least 20m S and outside of the S wall of the field.

There were no small finds.