2008:1202 - Golan, Area 21, Tyrone

This site 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. Situated in an area of archaeological sensitivity, there are several sites of archaeological interest in the environs, the closest of which are a prehistoric standing stone, a rath and an enclosure.
Area 21 was located between Chainages 2770 and 2830 and was located on a dry, slightly raised area in mainly low-lying boggy ground. The site was adjacent to a small stream and consisted of four discrete areas: 21A-D.
Area 21A consisted of a burnt-mound spread, two troughs, three water channels and two stone-paved working platforms. The spread of burnt-mound material measured 5.3m by 3m and was 0.05m in depth. Two troughs were identified below the burnt-mound material, lying adjacent to the present-day stream. One of the troughs was lined with wood while the other was unlined. Both the troughs were dug into the natural subsoil, below the water table, and so filled naturally with water.
The wood-lined trough was east–west-aligned and measured 1.5m in length, 0.7m in width and 0.18–0.22m in depth. The trough had been lined with wood along the north, south and west edges, while the east edge did not appear to have been wooden lined. A possible ard was recovered from the backfill of the trough.
The unlined trough was located 4m to the north of the wood-lined trough and was also east–west-aligned. It was truncated and its original dimensions would have measured 1.7m in length, 1m in width and it had a surviving depth of 0.24m. As the cut was below the water table it filled naturally with water and the accumulation of peat at the base of the cut indicates that it may have been left open before it was backfilled with the same burnt-mound material that filled the wood-lined trough. It is possible that this is the earlier of the two troughs.
Three channels were located in close proximity to both troughs. The first channel ran north to south from the unlined trough and may have conducted water to or managed the water table of the trough. The second channel ran from north-east to south-west and connected with the third channel and to the stream. The third channel conducted water to channel two and this in turn connected to the wood-lined trough.
Two stone platforms were evident at the southern part of the site and appeared to be contemporary with the wood-lined trough. A series of stepping stones composed of five large stones (0.3m by 0.5m by 0.09m) ran from the southern end of the wood-lined trough along the edge of channel three. These provided a dry form of access to the trough.
Another stone grouping was located at the south-western edge of channel three. These limestone slabs were placed at the south-western edge of channel three, 2.5m from the wood-lined trough, and had dimensions 0.5m by 0.3m by 0.09m.
Area 21B consisted of an c. 6m by 6m spread of burnt-mound material. The burnt-mound material overlay two pits, which were filled with similar material to the burnt spread. As a whole the site may represent the remains of a temporary camp/dwelling or alternatively it may have been a dumping ground associated with the workings of the burnt mound at Site 21A, which was located c. 30m to the north.
Area 21C consisted of an c. 5.5m by 3m area of a spread of burnt-mound material. The burnt-mound material overlay discoloured/heat-affected natural subsoil. A possible structure of three backfilled post-holes, a pit and a possible debris pit was located to the east of the burnt-mound material. Two stake-holes in isolation from each other as well as other features were also recorded on the site. The burnt-mound material may represent the remains of a fulacht fiadh, although no remains of a recognisable trough were unearthed within the bounds of the excavation area. As a whole the site may represent the remains of a temporary camp/dwelling.
Area 21D consisted of a keyhole-shaped cut, which was orientated north–south. The cut has been interpreted thus far as the remains of a possible cereal-drying kiln. The cut of this feature measured 4.2m in length, was 1.5m in width, 0.6m in depth at the bowl of the furnace and was 0.2m in depth at the rake-out pit, which was at the southern end of the cut. Two phases of use were identified within this kiln. The remains of a possible structure, which was possibly for the circulation of air around the bowl of the furnace, was also identified. A post-hole which had stone packing was identified at the southern terminal of the kiln. The natural at the bowl of the furnace contained evidence of in situ burning, as it was heat-affected. The primary fill was greyish-black sandy silt which contained very frequent charcoal inclusions. Above this layer, redeposited natural was backfilled into the bowl of the furnace. The second phase of use was identified above this; the fill consisted of a loose, dark-brownish-black sandy silt which contained frequent charcoal inclusions.