2005:655 - TREANBAUN, Galway

This excavation was undertaken as part of testing for the proposed N6 Galway–Ballinasloe road scheme, Contract 3, which consisted of the excavation of test-trenches with mechanical diggers over a distance of c. 15km. Work was commissioned by the Galway County Council National Roads Design Office and sponsored by the National Roads Authority.
The site is situated on the summit and along the western slope of a low-lying hill. The area is characterised by the presence of hillocks and lower marshy areas. Geophysical survey was carried out across the subject area due to its proximity to SMR 86:233, a rectangular earthwork and souterrain located c. 50m south of the site, but this failed to identify any anomalies of potential archaeological significance.
Testing began on 24 October 2005 under the direction of Marta Muñiz Pérez. Two burials and a ditch were exposed (Area A). Anticipating the possible presence of a cemetery, it was decided to cease machine testing in this area and carry on in the adjoining fields. A prehistoric cremation and several charcoal pits were uncovered in the next field (Area B). Hand testing for the possible cemetery in Area A was carried out under the direction of Gerry Mullins between 23 November and 6 December 2005.
A total of 1380m2 were tested in Area A. Of these, 85m2 were tested by hand. Sixteen pits measuring 1m by 1m and fifteen of 2m by 2m were excavated along the central line of the road-take and around the area where the two skeletons were first uncovered. No more skeletons were discovered. Machine testing then resumed, with the excavation of 26 trenches of variable lengths sited in order to establish the location of the enclosure ditch.
The following features were found in Area A. A subcircular ditch of c. 70m diameter was found enclosing the top of the hill, enclosing an area of c. 3850m2. Five sections were excavated through this ditch. They revealed a broad and shallow cut (max. 3.8m wide and 1.25m deep), which became deeper and broader towards its northern extension, with concave sides and rounded base. The fills were sterile and composed of fine sediments. The only inclusions were occasional remains of animal bone and charcoal flecks. One fragment of human bone was retrieved from one of the tertiary fills. No datable finds were recovered.
Two burials were found within the enclosure, close to its eastern edge. Both burials have an east–west orientation (head to west) and are single graves, suggesting a historic date. These remains were not excavated. Their position was recorded and they were covered pending excavation.
There was an outer ditch located close to the enclosing ditch, to the north-east corner of the field. The relationship of both ditches was not established during testing. The most significant finds were recovered from the topsoil in the vicinity of this ditch, although their relationship with this feature is unknown. These were two sherds of prehistoric pottery, two chert scrapers and one lozenge-shaped flint arrowhead.
A series of modern agricultural furrows running in several directions was visible. These had heavily truncated the archaeological remains.
Area B was machine tested by the excavation of the central line of the road-take and offsets at 20m intervals, with some additional trenches to clarify the nature and position of the archaeological remains. A total of 865m2 were tested in Area B. These revealed a prehistoric cremation consisting of an irregular deposit of burnt material, burnt human bone, charcoal and fragments of pottery. The pottery is likely to be of the Early Bronze Age. The preservation conditions were very poor. The location of the pottery was recorded and then covered pending excavation.
To the north of the cremation and adjacent to it, a large spread of ash and charcoal (c. 3m in diameter) was revealed. This is probably associated with the cremation.
Five metres south of the cremation a large pit (c. 5m diameter) was exposed. It had a sterile fill, with few charcoal inclusions.
A further five small circular pits were exposed to the south-east area of the field. These have an average diameter of 0.4m. They have fills with a high charcoal content.
Modern agricultural furrows running north–south heavily truncated the archaeological remains.