2011:143 - CROAGHONAGH, Donegal

The site of a prehistoric cairn (DG086-00201), wedge tomb, hearths and a fulacht fiadh were excavated at Croaghonagh, Lough Mourne (165.5m OD), in advance of a proposed dam. This excavation follows on from previous testing and metal detection (10E0309, 10R0103) undertaken by Dave Bayley in 2010 and a ground-penetrating radar survey undertaken by Atlas Geophysical. The archaeological remains were located in two areas and additional machine testing was also carried out immediately surrounding these two areas. The excavation commenced on 8 August 2011 and concluded on 20 October 2011.

Excavation at Area 1 revealed the footprint of a large cairn with two internal cists or chambers and some pre-cairn activity. A number of Neolithic flint artefacts were found throughout the cairn. A previously unknown wedge tomb was identified to the south-west of the cairn. Although in reasonable condition, the tomb failed to produce any artefacts or environmental material. An area of domestic activity was identified to the south-east of Area 1. It was identified as a spread of burnt material that sealed a pit. A number of flint cores and debitage were recovered from these deposits. A fulacht fiadh with a timber-lined trough and crescent-shaped mound of heat-affected stone was also recorded to the north of the site.

Excavation at Area 2 revealed the remains of a small spread of heat-affected material and may be the remains of a hearth or fire.

The excavation was undertaken in extreme weather conditions. Rain and strong winds persisted for the majority of the fieldwork and created difficult underfoot conditions, which resulted in constant standing water throughout the excavation area. The excavation failed to identify any intact burials, rock art, prehistoric field systems, human remains, animal bone, cremated bone (human or animal), pottery or any other artefacts other than the flint and quartz lithics.

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow