County: Longford Site name: MULLAGHVORNEEN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 13:52 Licence number: 03E1428 ext.
Author: Christopher Read, North West Archaeological Services, Cloonfad Cottage, Cloonfad, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
Site type: Fulachta fiadh
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 620327m, N 756595m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.558880, -7.693190
This extension covers the rescue excavation of three fulachta fiadh tested under the original licence in 2003 (Excavations 2003, No. 1211). One was reasonably substantial, while the other two were very ephemeral. Sites 3 and 8 proved to be little more than thin spreads of charcoal-enriched soil and small amounts of charcoal. There was no evidence of related troughs or any other associated features or finds.
The excavation of Site 1, however, revealed a much more substantial fulacht. The burnt material covered an area roughly 3m by 3m and had a maximum depth of 0.3m. It consisted of charcoal-enriched soil and large quantities of heat-shattered stone. An unusually large trough was revealed under the northern portion of the burnt material. The trough measured 2m by 2.5m, was up to 0.35m deep and was defined by steeply cut edges. The four corners of the rectilinear trough were punctuated by fairly large post-holes, 0.12-0.17m wide and 0.1-0.18 in depth. They were filled with the same burnt material that comprised the overlying deposit and the fill of the trough. The four post-holes are clearly associated with the use of the trough and may have been part of a shelter covering and/or surrounding the trough.
No other archaeological features or finds were revealed during the excavation.
