County: Cavan Site name: GORTAWEE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 98E0592
Author: Rónán Swan, Arch-Tech Ltd.
Site type: Burnt spread
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 627744m, N 820109m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.129269, -7.575517
Testing was undertaken at different locations along the proposed Gortawee 110km V-Line.
An archaeological assessment detailed the remains in the vicinity of the proposed 110km V-Line, and as a consequence it was recommended that angle-masts (AM) or intermediate pole-sets (IMP) close to archaeological sites be repositioned where possible so that the necessary groundworks would not to pose a threat to the monuments. Three areas were identified as requiring archaeological testing. In addition, all groundworks associated with the line were monitored.
GORTOORLAN
Adjacent to linear feature and possible ringfort 2224 3187SMR 10:16
AM4 stands within 10m of a large linear feature. A single trench was cut between the proposed angle-mast location and the feature. There was no indication of any archaeological layers or deposits within the exposed section, and it appears that this feature is the result of the diversion of a nearby stream.
AM391 stands within 30m of the linear feature. A single trench 6m long, 1.4m wide and 0.8m deep was cut to the west of AM391. There were no indications of any archaeological layers or deposits, nor was any archaeological material recovered from this trench.
KILSALLAGH
Charcoal spread 2242 3710
AM360 stands on an upland slope overlooking an area of low-lying, marshy ground. This area was identified as being suitable terrain for fulachta fiadh and/or toghers.
A single trench to the south of the AM360 was positioned in an east-west direction. There was no indication of archaeological deposits within this trench.
IMP361 is to be positioned adjacent to a field boundary. The stratigraphy revealed topsoil, overlying a natural deposit of grey marl. No artefacts or archaeological deposits were identified within this cutting.
IMP362 stands within and towards the northern end of the zone of archaeological potential. Removal of the topsoil revealed a deposit of charcoal that was up to 0.1m thick, overlying a lens of natural clay mixed with charcoal. The full extent of this burnt area was revealed and measured 2.5m north-south x 2m, with an ovoid shape. No artefactual material was recovered from these deposits. Environmental analysis of these two layers was unable to determine whether this charcoal spread was a 'consequence of anthropogenic activity or the result of natural fires'. Immediately after this trench was opened the area was inundated with water, and further investigation at this site would not be possible.
SNUGBOROUGH
Adjacent to ringfort22634 31940SMR 10:21
IMP9 and IMP386 stand within 30m of a ringfort, perched at the edge of a cliff overlooking a gully with steeply sloping sides. The power-line will span this gully, so it was not practical to reposition these pole-sets, which stand on a steep slope to the south-east of the ringfort.
IMP9 stood 28m from the ringfort. A trench was cut adjacent to the location of this pole-set. There was no indication of artefactual material or archaeological deposits within this cutting.
IMP386 stands 20m from the ringfort. A trench was cut 3m to the west of this pole-set. No archaeological deposits or artefacts were identified.
32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
