County: Sligo Site name: RATHBRAGHAN, Sligo
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E1070 ext.
Author: Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch. Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Burnt mound
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 570045m, N 837699m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.287201, -8.460042
This project involved the excavation of a burnt mound in the townland of Rathbraghan, on the outskirts of Sligo town, before the construction of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant and associated services, which would result in the total destruction of the monument. The mound was identified during monitoring of ground disturbance in the south of the proposed development site in 2001 (Excavations 2001, No. 1174).
One trench, corresponding to the extent of the mound, was excavated. Oriented north- north-east/south-south-west, it measured 11m by 9.5m and was excavated to a depth of 0.25– 0.3m. This trench produced no artefacts but revealed a fairly well-preserved burnt mound. The mound appeared as irregular in shape, measuring 10.6m by 9.1m, and was c. 0.25–0.3m high. Burnt stones were found throughout the mound and were mixed with a friable, dark brown clay. The mound consisted of heat-shattered, rotten stone and a quantity of charcoal. The charcoal was most frequent close to the base of the mound. A number of field drains disturbed the mound in the north, south and west. No features of archaeological significance were encountered under the mound or in the immediate vicinity, and no trace of a trough was uncovered.
Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway
