2012:262 - Carrownurlaur/Gortnagunned, Galway

Stage (i) Test Excavation Services and Stage (ii) Pre-Excavation Services were undertaken as part of the Archaeological Services Contract prior to the commencement of construction works associated with the N17 Carrownurlaur Bends Realignment Scheme in north Co. Galway.

Stage (i) Test Excavation and Survey Services were carried out between 20 and 25 August 2012. A total of 90 test trenches were excavated across 18 fields, comprising a total of 3106.6 linear metres of trenching. Four areas of archaeological interest – Gortnagunned 1 and 2 and Carrownurlaur 1 and 2 – were identified during testing.

Stage (ii) Pre-Excavation Services (additional trenching, cleaning and mapping of the area of archaeological interest identified during Stage (i) test trenching) were carried during the same period. Stage (ii) Services confirmed the presence of a burnt mound at Gortnagunned 2 and a burnt mound associated with worked wood at Carrownurlaur 1. A small burnt spread at Gortnagunned 1 and an isolated post-hole at Carrownurlaur 2 were fully excavated at Stage (ii).

Gortnagunned 1

Stage (i) and (ii) results: A patchy spread was identified on the south-western slope of a small but pronounced hill, close to the edge of a deep peat basin in Field 11. An area measuring 62m² was stripped of topsoil in order to fully expose the feature. It measured 5.2m long (north-east/south-west) by 1.7m wide overall and 0.12m deep. It consisted of occasional heat-shattered sandstone and charcoal in a peaty matrix. A small patch of similar material was located adjacent to it, measuring 0.3m by 0.7m and 0.1m deep. This is likely to have been dragged from the main deposit through ploughing.

Both spreads were fully excavated as part of Stage (ii) investigations. A sample was taken from the larger spread for environmental analysis and dating. The composition of the spreads was suggestive of fulacht fiadh activity. However no cut features were identified which could have functioned as a trough.

Gortnagunned 2

Stage (i) and (ii) results: A burnt mound was identified towards the centre of this rough pasture field. The mound was sealed in peat up to 0.4m deep. It is irregular in shape but is roughly orientated east–west and measures 7.8m long by 5.8m wide and 0.22m deep. It consists of heat-shattered stone and occasional charcoal in a peaty matrix. No cut features were apparent but it is possible that a trough is preserved beneath the mound.

Carrownurlaur 1

Stage (i) and (ii) results: A burnt mound was identified overlying a layer of silty clay that was in turn overlying deep peat deposits. The mound measures approximately 3.63m north-east/south-west by 1.85m wide and 0.05-0.1m deep. It consists of heat-shattered stone and charcoal staining in a peaty matrix.

To the south-east of the mound occasional worked wood was identified within the peat as well as unworked wood and small rounded stones and pockets of sand and gravel. While there seems to be a concentration of this material it is not forming a coherent trackway as the wood is not laid in a regular pattern and seems to be occurring at different levels in the peat.  It seems likely that attempts at reinforcing the wet ground surface were made with brushwood, stone and sandy material. This may have occurred during the lifetime of the burnt mound.

Carrownurlaur 2

Stage (i) and (ii) results: An isolated possible post-hole was identified on the east side of Field 17. An area measuring 9m² was stripped of topsoil around the feature to determine if it was related to any other archaeology. No other features were identified. The feature was circular in plan and measured 0.31m by 0.22m and 0.24m deep, with vertical sides and a concave base. It contained a single fill which consisted of grey silty clay with occasional charcoal flecks.

This feature was fully excavated at Stage (ii). It is likely to have supported a timber post, but there is no further evidence as to the function of the post.

Gortnagunned 2 and Carrownurlaur 1 were fully excavated in advance of construction works on the scheme (see below Nos 263 and 281).

Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd, Unit 2, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork.