2007:588 - Ballyglass West, Galway

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Galway Site name: Ballyglass West

Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA113–013 Licence number: E003695

Author: John Lehane, for Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway.

Site type: Various

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 544355m, N 709778m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.135627, -8.831579

Phase 1 investigations and townland boundary surveys commissioned by Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority were undertaken along the 27.2km N18 Oranmore to Gort (Glenbrack to Rathmorrissey) national road scheme. Testing was carried out between September and December 2007. This area was identified in the environmental impact statement as one that would require topsoil-stripping to ascertain the character, significance and extent of any archaeological features or deposits present on or in the direct vicinity of known conjoined ringforts.
An area 50m by 40m was topsoil-stripped by a 20-ton 360° tracked machine using a 1.85m-wide toothless bucket. Five features were fully excavated (at Chainage 19950): two pits containing burnt bone and charcoal, one furrow, one curvilinear stone spread and one possible field boundary ditch. The furrow, which is one of many visible across the site, possibly represents 18th–19th-century ridge-and-furrow cultivation. All information gathered during Phase 1 will form part of the post-excavation process for the scheme.