2012:529 - Derrydarragh/Oakfield Sites 1-7, Sligo

Excavation was undertaken at Derrydarragh/Oakfield 1-7, Co. Sligo, on behalf of Sligo County Council. The works were undertaken as part of Stage (iii) of the Archaeological Services Contract prior to the commencement of construction of the Sligo Western Distributor Road which extends from Ballydoogan townland to Caltragh townland in Co. Sligo. Stage (i) test trenching along the entire route and Stage (ii) stripping, cleaning and mapping of all areas of archaeological potential was carried out between 3 and 11 November 2011, under Licence 11E0372 (Excavations 2011, No. 535). The test excavations at Derrydarragh/Oakfield 1-7 identified a burnt mound, a series of prehistoric pits and a series of charcoal production pits. Full excavation was undertaken at the sites between 19 and 25 July 2011. Stage (iii) works comprised the excavation of six identified sites Derrydarragh/Oakfield 1-7.
Derrydarragh/Oakfield 1 was located in the north-east corner of Field 12 adjacent to the Ballydoogan Stream. A total area of 290m² was exposed revealing a burnt mound and a post-medieval boundary ditch. A radiocarbon date taken from the burnt mound returned a Late Bronze Age date of 1114–919 BC (2σ) (SUERC 42974).
Derrydarragh/Oakfield 2 was located centrally within Field 11 to the east of a former field boundary. A total area of 228m² was exposed, revealing two charcoal production pits. A series of post-medieval plough furrows orientated north–south were also noted. Two radiocarbon dates taken from the fills of the pits returned late medieval dates of AD 1207-1280 (2σ) (SUERC 42968) and AD 1168-1264 (2σ) (SUERC 42968).
Derrydarragh/Oakfield 3 was located centrally within Field 11 on a very slight north-facing slope. A total area of 192m² was exposed, revealing a charcoal production pit and a post-medieval plough furrow. A radiocarbon date taken from the fill of the charcoal production pit returned an early medieval date of AD 874–1013 (2σ) (SUERC 42970).
Derrydarragh/Oakfield 4 was located in the south-west quadrant of Field 11 on a gentle east-facing slope. A total area of 28m² was exposed, revealing a charcoal-production pit and a post-medieval plough furrow. A radiocarbon date taken from the fill of the charcoal production pit returned an early medieval date of AD 777–965 (2σ) (SUERC 42965).
Derrydarragh/Oakfield 6 was located in the northern section of Field 17 on a gentle south-facing slope. A total area of 124m² was exposed, revealing a charcoal production pit and a post-medieval plough furrow. A radiocarbon date taken from the fill of the charcoal production pit returned an early medieval date of AD 681–870 (2σ) (SUERC 42967).
Derrydarragh/Oakfield 7 was located in the north-east quadrant of Field 17. A total area of 48m² was exposed, revealing a prehistoric roasting/cooking pit. A radiocarbon date taken from the fill of the pit returned a middle to late Neolithic date of 3329–293 BC (2σ) (SUERC 42966).

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