2015:438 - N61 Coolteige (Phase I) Project, Roscommon, Area 4 testing (Ranelagh 1), Roscommon

The proposed scheme is a c. 2.5km section of the N61 between Roscommon town and the village of Coolteige north of the town. Testing Area 4 was located in an area of pastureland, relatively flat at the southern end with a slight but noticeable rise at the north, resulting in good views and sightlines across the surrounding landscape from this northerly point. Topsoil ranged in depth from 0.2m to 0.85m over the area and subsoil across was a glacially-derived sediment or till. This site was initially identified in the Cultural Heritage Report for the road project as an area of archaeological potential due to the recognition of a possible arcing ditch 25m in diameter and its location on higher ground with commanding views of the surrounding countryside (Anon 2003). The route of this road project was subsequently subjected to a geophysical survey (14R0088; Bonsall & Gimson 2014) which identified (amongst other results) a potential enclosure.

A total of 27 trenches, amounting to 1308 linear metres was excavated at the site. The enclosure complex comprised a tri-vallate enclosure which was associated with 8 additional ditches, 9 pits, 1 slot-trench and 1 hearth. There were also 11 burials. 

The inner ditch of Enclosure 1 was 2.5m wide by 1.22m deep and was largely filled with sterile stony clay, although limited charcoal-rich fills were recorded at the top of some ditch sections. No waterlogged fills or artefacts were recorded in this ditch.

Three ditches were recorded within the inner enclosure. Ditch 1 had a shallow U-shaped profile, measuring 1.2-1.6m wide by 0.3-0.4m deep. It contained moderate charcoal flecks. A possible rectilinear ditch was also recorded. It was 3.2m wide by 0.8m deep and was charcoal-rich. A re-cut ditch was not sectioned in order to avoid disturbance between relationships of features. Three pits and two slot trenches were also recorded within the inner ditch. Pits and slot trenches were not very deep when sectioned, maximum depths of 0.25m. One pit is recorded as having light charcoal flecking while the two slot trenches were filled with moderate charcoal flecking.

Enclosure 2 (middle enclosure) measured roughly 67m north-south and was U-shaped in profile with rounded sides and a rounded base and recorded dimensions of 2.9m wide by 0.85m deep. Two pits and two linear ditches were recorded between the inner and middle enclosure ditches. The ditches were 0.35m and 0.8m deep respectively and are recorded as having no charcoal flecks. Depths or fill types are not recorded for the associated pits.

The outer enclosure ditch (Enclosure 3) was 1.42m wide by 0.4m deep. There were no charcoal flecks recorded in this feature.

Features recorded outside Enclosure 2 at the north of the site comprised 3 ditches, 3 pits and a hearth. Ditches were between 2m and 0.7m wide. Depths ranged from 0.6-0.15m. No charcoal fragments were recorded from these ditches.

External pits were between 0.14-0.25 m deep; all pits were recorded as having black charcoal-enriched clay and 2 scatters of human bone were recorded on the interior of the enclosure.

References:

Anon 2003 ‘N61 Roscommon to Coolteige Environmental Report: Cultural Heritage Report’. Unpublished report prepared by Babtie Petit on behalf of Roscommon County Council.

Bonsall, J. & Gimson, H. 2015 ‘N61 Coolteige (Phase 1) Road Project, Co. Roscommon. Stage (i)i Archaeological Geophysical Survey. Detection Licence No. 14R0088’. Unpublished report prepared by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics on behalf of Roscommon County Council.

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