2003:2246 - TUAM: Chapel Lane, Galway

Pre-development testing at the site of a proposed mixed retail/residential development at Chapel Lane, Tuam, Co. Galway, was carried out on 15 September 2003. The proposed development was located within the zone of archaeological potential for Tuam (SMR 29:199), necessitating the demolition of the existing buildings on the site.

The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of four trenches, which measured 21.3m, 15.2m, 15.3m and 16.2m long, respectively, 1.2–2.1m wide and 0.85–1.8m deep. The stratigraphy consisted of loose rubble fill, above grey/brown/black friable silt loam (peat-like in appearance in places) and grey/brown plastic sandy clay. Below the silt loam and sandy clay were grey/brown plastic boulder clay and bedrock.

The rubble fill and sandy clay contained modern artefacts and animal-bone fragments. The friable silt loam contained modern glass fragments, modern pottery sherds and two post-medieval pottery sherds.

The grey/brown plastic clay would appear to be sterile natural subsoil. The silt loam and sandy clay would appear to be disturbed contexts, possibly the original ground or topsoil, prior to the site being filled. The animal bone found in a number of contexts is not surprising, considering this was the site of an abattoir. The testing revealed evidence of 19th- and 20th-century activity only.