2014:503 - Carrownurlaur 2-8, Galway

The proposed scheme will realign a c. 2km section of the N17 road between Tuam and Claremorris, c. 6 8km south of Claremorris, Co. Mayo. It traverses the townlands of Carrownurlaur, Newtown South and Ballindine West, Co. Galway. Testing of the scheme was undertaken in May 2014 and identified seven previously unrecorded fulachtaí fia in Carrownurlaur townland (2014:447; 14E0163). The following entry relates to full excavation of these sites which was undertaken between 29 September and 22 October 2014. The seven sites (Carrownurlaur 2-8) were excavated on behalf of Galway County Council.

Carrownurlaur 2

Carrownurlaur 2 was the northernmost site. It contained a burnt mound measuring 15.7m north-east/south-west x 13.1m x 0.4m in depth. A sample of hazel charcoal collected from the burnt mound has been dated to 2570-2467 BC (D-AMS 010545; 3984±22 BP), placing it in the late Neolithic period. The mound material was associated with a timber-lined trough with 15 associated stake-holes and a pit. The sub-rectangular trough measured 2.4m north-west/south-east x 0.8m x 0.2-0.32 m in depth and was hewn from a hollowed-out tree trunk (oak). The cavity of the tree trunk was filled with burnt mound material indistinguishable from the overlying mound.

Carrownurlaur 3

Carrownurlaur 3 was located towards the northern end of the scheme at ITM 537308, 767488. It comprised a burnt mound associated with 2 wood-lined troughs. There were 2 successive phases of burnt mound activity recorded. The primary burnt mound measured 17m north-south x 14m x 0.48m deep and was dated to 2456-2203 BC (D-AMS 010547; 3841±23 BP). The primary mound was sealed by a 0.05m thick buried sod horizon, which was in turn covered by the upper mound material (dimensions: 17m north-south x 14m x 0.25 m in thickness). A sample of ash charcoal retrieved from the secondary burnt mound material was dated to 2034-1915 BC (D-AMS-010546; 3620±21 BP).

The secondary mound was associated with 2 wood-lined troughs which were built in quick succession. The primary trough was aligned east-west. It had 2 flat wooden boards (basal timbers) bedded in a layer of sand and set into the base of pit. Side and end timbers were positioned within the trough and held a wattle-built structure in place. A layer of grass/moss material was then packed between the timber structure and the trough cut. A sample of alder charcoal retrieved from the packing material at the base of this trough returned a date of 1963 1776 BC (D-AMS 010549; 3552±24 BP). This trough and its fill of burnt mound material were sealed with a single flat board.

A second trough, located directly above the primary trough was roughly aligned north-south. The base, western side and northern and southern ends of this trough were lined with a single piece of oak timber which measured 1.97m north-south x 1.22m x 0.17m. A sample of timber extracted from this trough (derived from the outer rings with no perceived old-wood effect) was dated to 2016-1775 BC (D-AMS 10548; 3560±30 BP).

Carrownurlaur 4

Carrownurlaur 4 was located at ITM 537335, 767384. It was a fulacht fia comprising a disturbed mound of heat-shattered stones contained in a charcoal-rich matrix (5.3m north-south x 5m x 0.05-0.08m in thickness), sealing a wood-lined trough (1.9m east-west x 1.5m x 0.28m) Four posts were driven into the base of the trough at the corner points. These presented during excavation as circular voids where the timber had completely decomposed. The base of the trough was lined with seven timber planks. A sample of hazel charcoal collected from the fill of the trough returned a radiocarbon date of 1388-1134 BC (D-AMS 010550; 3020±25 BP), placing it in the Middle Bronze Age.

Carrownurlaur 5

Carrownurlaur 5 comprised 2 discreet areas of activity, a western area (Carrownurlaur 5a; ITM 537368, 767287) and an eastern area (Carrownurlaur 5b; ITM 537378, 767295) located c. 6.5m apart. At Carrownurlaur 5a, two localised deposits of burnt mound material, measuring; 1.6 m north-south x 1.5 max, 0.04-0.08 m in thickness and 0.8 m x 0.85m x 0.1-0.14 m in thickness respectively, accumulated within natural depressions in subsoil. A wood-lined trough, measuring; 1.25m north-west/south-east x 0.94m x 0.42m in depth, was also identified, although this was filled with peat, suggesting that it was unused or abandoned. Three tangentially-split timber planks lined the base of this trough with a fourth lying across the top. A sample of alder from the base of this trough was dated to 2459-2210 BC (D-AMS 010551; 3857±25 BP) placing it in the Early Bronze Age.

At Carrownurlaur 5b, a thin spread of burnt mound material measuring 7.5m north-south x 5m x 0.15m in thickness sealed another trough, measuring 1.44m north-west/south-east x 1.18m x 0.23m in depth. This was lined on the western side of the base with seven half-split timbers. There was further indication of a wattle lining along the sides of this trough and the base was cut by sixteen stake-holes, which were probably associated with the wattle structure. A sample of alder charcoal collected from the fill of the trough was dated to 2291-2141 BC (D-AMS 010552; 3790±23 BP), placing it in the Early Bronze Age.

Carrownurlaur 6

Carrownurlaur 6 was located at ITM 537362, 76765. It was a disturbed mound of heat-shattered stones contained in a charcoal-rich matrix, measuring 1m north-south x 6.5m x 0.2m in thickness. A sample of hazel charcoal collected from the mound material returned a radiocarbon date of 2201-2036 BC (D-AMS 010553; 3727±24 BP) placing it in the Early Bronze Age. No associated features were identified at this site and no archaeological artefacts were recovered.

Carrownurlaur 7

Carrownurlaur 7 was the southernmost site. It was a burnt mound measuring 11 m north-west/south-east x 5.22m x 0.25m in depth. A sample of ash charcoal collected from the burnt mound material returned a date of 2013‑1882 BC (D-AMS 010554; 3574±21 BP), indicating that it belongs to the early Bronze Age.

Carrownurlaur 8

Carrownurlaur 8 was a small area containing a single pit filled with burnt mound material. It was located adjacent to, and probably related to Carrownurlaur 3.

Archer Heritage Planning, 8 Beat Centre, Stephenstown, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin