2004:1496 - BALLYSUMAGHAN, Sligo

Excavation was undertaken in Ballysumaghan townland as part of the Flagford-Srananagh 220/110kV project, which involves the construction of an electrical substation on the site. Monitoring of ground disturbance and topsoil-stripping identified three potential sites of archaeological importance. The northern half of the development encroaches on the site of a drained lake, Castle Lough. The lake contains at least one extant crannog, which lies outside the area of proposed development, and reference was found to a second crannog. The southern portion of the development is situated on the north-facing slope of a hill that affords good views of the former lake and its surrounding environs. Site 1 was the most southerly and measured c. 12.5m east-west by 15.65m. Site 2 was north-west of Site 1 and measured c. 17m east-west by 11m. Site 3 was the most northerly site and measured 9m east-west by 20m.

There was c. 0.3m of topsoil over Site 1. There was a small irregular feature of charcoal and burnt clay in the centre of the site. It measured 0.43m by 0.26m and had been truncated by a track machine. Excavation revealed it to be of no archaeological significance.

Site 2 comprised a small circular feature identified in the north-west corner of the site. It measured 0.41m by 0.45m and was very shallow, 0.06m. The base was irregular and undulating. It was filled with mid-brown silt with c. 3% sand and 10% charcoal flecks. There were also trace amounts of burnt clay. No finds were recovered from this feature nor was it in association with any other archaeological anomalies. It appeared to be a natural occurrence and was of no archaeological significance.

Traversing the site in an east-west orientation were the remnants of five plough furrows. They were 0.38-0.54m in width and 0.05-0.06m deep. They were only evident on the southern end of the site and were filled by friable mid-brown clayey silt. No finds were recorded from this fill. The furrows on the southern side of the site were cut into the natural subsoil. One piece of struck flint was recorded from the topsoil at this site.

Site 3 was the most northerly of the three sites. After cleaning, no record of a linear ditch was identified and it was probably the result of excess subsoil being left behind during the topsoil-stripping. One irregular-shaped area of burning was identified in the south-west corner of the site. It consisted of friable grey/brown silty clay with frequent patches of charcoal staining, root fragments and occasional patches of burnt clay. It measured 0.64m by 0.53m, with a depth of 0.02-0.05m. This feature is similar to that on Site 1 and is not of archaeological significance; it is probably the result of burning of natural vegetation. Situated along the eastern boundary of the site was a natural deposit of gravel, which was orientated in an east-west direction. It measured 0.65m by 1.9m and was 0.05m deep.

The anomalies identified were the result of non-archaeological activity on the site, including natural cavities, geological features and the burning of vegetation, which was possibly the result of field clearance. There was some charcoal flecking within three of the features, but this was in an otherwise sterile context.