County: Donegal Site name: Knocknamona
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 13E031
Author: Patricia Long
Site type: Burnt mound
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 617693m, N 912943m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.963828, -7.723719
Excavation was undertaken at Knocknamona, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal prior to the commencement of construction of a three storey post-primary school. The site consists of 3.56ha of greenfield which is proposed for the development of the school and associated access roads and amenities.
The archaeological features identified during the monitoring of topsoil stripping at the site were divided into three main areas of activity (Areas 1 to 3).
Full excavation of Areas 1 and 2 was undertaken, however ground conditions and flooding prevented the identification of the archaeological deposits identified during the monitoring phase of works in Area 3.
The final evaluation of the findings of the excavation identified Copper/Early Bronze Age (2287-2045 cal. BC (2σ) (SUERC 47486)) pyrolithic activity represented by burnt mound deposits and an associated trough in Area 1. A Late Neolithic pit (2620-2474 cal. BC (2σ) (SUERC 47485)) and two spreads were identified in Area 2 and were probably also associated with the pyrolithic activity. Two small spreads were identified in Area 3 but during the excavation phase which took place between 13 and 22 February 2013, Area 3 had become submerged beneath 1m of water. A sump was excavated and the area drained using pumps. The area was hand cleaned; however, the archaeological remains identified during the monitoring phase could not be relocated at the excavation stage due to effects of flooding in this area.
Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd, Unit 2, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork
