County: Galway Site name: CALTRAGH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 05E0791
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 575474m, N 728776m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.308698, -8.368006
The site was excavated in June 2005 as part of the programme of resolution of archaeological sites on the route of the proposed Galway–Mayo gas pipeline. Monitoring of topsoil-stripping under licence number 05E0584 revealed a cluster of pits (see No. 546, Excavations 2005). Excavation therefore was undertaken and a D-shaped structure and central hearth was exposed. It measured 5.9m north–south by 4.4m and comprised a series of post-holes averaging 0.3–0.4m in diameter. Cremated bone and worked chert were recovered from the fill of one of the post-holes. The central hearth was irregular in shape, measuring 1.4m by 0.6m. A series of pits and stake-holes and a second hearth were identified to the west of the D-shaped structure close to the boundary. This hearth was circular in shape with a diameter of 1m and depth of 0.4m. It contained charcoal and tiny flecks of bone. Other features around the hearth did not form any coherent pattern. A tentative Bronze Age date is proposed for this site until the results of radiocarbon analysis are returned.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
