County: Galway Site name: Roevehagh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E003699
Author: Linda Hegarty, for Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway.
Site type: Mound – natural
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 544587m, N 718660m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.215468, -8.829651
Phase 1 archaeological 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.
During the route inspection, a low wide mound of c. 60m in diameter was observed on the south bank of the Dunkellin River on agricultural land. The mound is a natural feature and occurs in an area that, according to early editions of the OS maps, was formerly prone to flooding. However, it may have been a site of riverside settlement or ritual activity in antiquity and test excavations had to be conducted on the mound as a precautionary measure. The site was very near a river crossing.
A total area of 30m by 10m was topsoil-stripped, by a 14-tonne 360° tracked machine using a 1.85m wide toothless bucket, adjacent to the mound. Nothing of archaeological significance was identified. The mound proved to be a natural gravel ridge deposited during the last glaciation.
