2009:592 - BLACK LOUGH/CLAGGARNAGH EAST/ANNAGH, Mayo

This area was tested to inform Mayo NRDO’s design team at a pre-planning stage of the proposed new N5 Westport to Boholla road project. The test area at Black Lough is within a wetland area, which is marked on the first-edition OS map as a lake surrounding a small island. This island consisted of a relatively dry area which measured 60m by 46m and was 1–1.5m above the surrounding wetlands. Its location suggested the possibility of it being a lake settlement site or crann)g. Testing showed that this former island was a natural glacial feature comprised of marl and boulder clay. A series of ten 2m by 2m trial-pits were opened to the north-west and west of the island. These pits were excavated to depths of 1.5–2m. The stratigraphy was consistent for all of these pits and comprised soft mid-to dark-brown peat with a relatively dense humic layer occurring at a depth of c. 1.5m. The base of the peat was not reached and further excavation was not possible due to ground conditions. No finds or features of archaeological interest were identified.