2002:1564 - CLONIN AND TOBERDALY, Offaly

Introduction to sites excavated under licences 02E1198–02E1203, Toberdaly Wood Complex

An area of archaeological and natural wood was identified during the Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit survey in the southern end of Ballybeg Bog in 2001. This complex of wood was 150m west of the site excavated under licence 02E1202 (No. 1580, Excavations 2002). The complex was spread over several Bord na Móna fields (110m2).

Five excavation licences were taken out to cover the excavation of several platform structures within this complex. Excavation revealed quite substantial wooden sites, which appeared to be distinct wooden platforms situated in a complex of archaeological wood. Trial-trenches dug between the cuttings revealed smaller arrangements of brushwood, which may have linked the platforms to each other. All of the drains in the area were cleaned back and recorded under licence 02E1200 (No. 1576 below). There were some natural trees and tree stumps in the complex. They all appeared to be Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine). Pine was also used in the construction of some of the sites, and it is likely that the people who built them used available wood nearby. The other species identified from the sites was Betula sp. (birch). This birch was probably selected from the margins of the bog, where birch grows quite readily. The sites were constructed in the fen, using the roots of the fen wood to stabilise the walking surfaces of the sites.

Platform, 02E1198
This excavation was at the northern extent of the archaeological complex in Ballybeg Bog, Co. Offaly. This site comprised an almost square platform structure. The platform was composed of roundwoods (50%), brushwood (40%) and twigs (10%) laid down longitudinally. The platform measured c. 5.4m by 4m and was up to 0.4m deep. The wood has been identified as Betula sp. (birch). The platform is an individual feature in a larger archaeological complex.

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