2016:507 - Aghadrinagh 3, Mayo

Three disturbed burnt spreads (F004, F009 & F002) were exposed beneath the sod and topsoil (F026) at a depth of 0.4m. They had been disturbed by a number of post-medieval cultivation furrows (F014 & F015) and a number of non-archaeological features (F003, F006, F007, F010, F011, F012, F013 & F016).

The largest spread, F004, measured 8.2m in length and 4.1m in width and consisted of a compact mid brown silty clay containing stone and rare inclusions of charcoal. It varied in thickness from 0.1m – 0.3m and lay above a second spread (F018) of compact dark brown – black silty clay containing stone and charcoal.

The second spread, F009, was exposed to the north-east and measured 10.1m in length and 4.55m in width and consisted of a compact mid brown – black silty clay with stone and rare inclusions of charcoal.

The smallest spread, F002, measured 1.4m in length, 1m in width and 0.1m in thickness and consisted of a compact dark brown – black silty clay containing stone and rare inclusions of charcoal.

A single trough (F020) was identified. It measured 2.2m in length, 1.2m in width and 0.81m in depth and had been filled with a dark brown - black peaty clay (F017) containing heat-shattered stone and charcoal flecks. It measured 0.22m in thickness and lay above a layer of compact black silty clay (F021), a thin layer of grey sandy clay (F022) and a layer of compact sticky yellow marly clay (F023) which may have acted as a waterproof seal. A possible drainage ditch associated with the trough (F024) was identified to the south-west. It measured 3.85m in length, 1m in width and 0.35m in depth and had been filled with a grey marly clay (F025) containing occasional charcoal and sandstone.

The only other feature identified was an oval shaped pit (F019) which was exposed c.9m north-east of the trough F020.

Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth