2008:1172 - Aghnahoe, area 31, Tyrone

Area 31 was investigated as part of the proposed corridor improvements of the line of the A4 between Dungannon and Ballygawley where 15km of new road will be constructed. A total of 43 SMR sites lie within 500m of either side of the new road alignments. In general these sites date to the Early Christian period, with many raths, enclosures and a number of ecclesiastical sites represented. The closest of these recorded sites are a prehistoric standing stone, a rath and an enclosure.
Area 31 extended some 270m along the crest, north and east sides of a steeply sloping hill (Whinney Hill) and continued towards Johnsen’s Glen to the east, c. 3.5km north-east of the plantation settlement of Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone. The natural was characterised by brownish-orange boulder clay with frequent grits and fine gravels. Area 31 included a roundhouse with an associated structure (Area 31A), a sizeable corn-drying kiln (Area 31B) and a number of natural features.
Roundhouse
The roundhouse and associated structure were sited at the east end of the site, on relatively sheltered flat ground c. 50m from Johnsen’s Glen. Johnsen’s Glen was a deep ravine (which may have been artificially enhanced) with a stream which ran north-west to join Ballygawley Water.
The roundhouse measured 9.8m in external diameter and comprised an outer wall, inner post-ring, two stake-built internal structures and an off-centre hearth. The outer wall included at least 49 stakes arranged in two concentric arcs around the east-north-eastern side of the structure averaging 0.45m apart. The stakes were indistinguishable from numerous roots to the west and are likely to have originally formed part of a circuit interrupted for an entrance, defining a central living area of 8.9m diameter.
The inner post-ring measured 5.8m in diameter and included eight posts and three stakes supporting a probable ring-beam. The posts were arranged generally at 2m intervals around an off-centre support post. Two arcs of stakes defined curving structures against the inner edge of the post-ring, measuring 2.6m and 3m long respectively. The hearth also included two stakes which may have supported a small spit.
The associated structure lay immediately to the north-north-east of the roundhouse and may be an annexe to it. This subcircular structure measured c. 5m in diameter and was defined by a group of at least eleven stakes and one post, with a possible entrance to the north-east. At least twenty stakes formed a subrectangular possible smoking or drying rack over a central hearth which included two sherds of prehistoric pottery. Four pieces of flint debitage were found within the topsoil adjacent to this hearth, whilst a number of associated stakes were also recorded.
Corn-drying kiln
The corn-drying kiln had an oval drying chamber measuring 2.7m east–west by 2m, by 0.5m deep, although it was cut to the south by a field drain. The flue was provided with jamb-stones where it exited the drying chamber and led downslope at least 0.7m before being cut by a post-medieval field ditch. The ditch is likely to have removed any burnt spread on this side, although additional burnt material survived upslope and in a number of layers in the base of the kiln itself.
Other features
Approximately 40 additional features were identified during monitoring. These features were found generally to include occasional flecks of charcoal within decidedly irregular spreads. The irregular appearance pre-excavation was mirrored on excavation with numerous root runs below ground. The majority were found to be root boles of small scrub species averaging between 0.15m and 1.5m in diameter. Two small burnt spreads were also recorded, though one of these was demonstrably modern.