2014:346 - CLS182, Cloonmore, Cloonshannagh Bog, Roscommon

Cloonshannagh Bog is located 3km north-west of Termonbarry and 2.5km west of Lough Forbes. The bog is part of the Bord na Móna Mountdillon Group and has a total area of 331 hectares. A survey by ADS in 2008 under licence 08E0645 identified a total of 88 sites. Upon re-assessment by ADS in 2013 under licence 13E0221 89 sites were recorded. Of the 89 sightings, 60 were platform sightings, 18 sightings were of archaeological wood and 11 were trackway sightings, all of varying lengths and widths. Of these 35 sites were listed for excavation as part of the current contract.

Once the location of site CLS182 was confirmed using survey-standard GPS system a 4.5m by 2m cutting was opened. The site was partially evident on the field surface adjacent the field drain. The peat above the site consisted of moderately humified (H4) mid brown sphagnum-rich peat with inclusions of calluna.

The site consisted of roundwood and brushwood elements associated with a probable platform that was laid directly on an extensive root horizon which was identified extending along a significant length of the field and adjacent Bord na Móna fields. The elements were haphazardly laid and were generally in poor condition. The upper elements had been damaged by machinery during milling and the lower elements were soft and mushy. Approximately 90% of the exposed elements were associated with the root horizon which continued beyond the limits of the cutting so the precise extent of the constructed platform was unclear, and further sparsely laid elements may continue beyond the cutting limits.

The underlying peat was poorly humified (H2) mid brown-orange pool peat with frequent hazelnut inclusions, roots and occasional calluna root inclusions.

A fragment of Ash, 9 yrs, was chosen for AMS dating from samples taken from the 2013 ADS survey which returned a date of 811–541 BC.

IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow