2016:515 - Claggarnagh West 4, Mayo

The burnt spread (F003) measured 9m in length, 6.3m in width and 0.25m in thickness and consisted of a compact mid brown – black coloured silty clay containing frequent burnt sandstone and charcoal flecks. It lay above a layer of loose mid brown peaty clay (F010) and a thin deposit of compact grey silty clay (F011). Three possible pits were identified - (F012) measured 0.32m in length, 0.36m in width and 0.25m in depth; (F014) measured 0.35m in length, 0.32m in width and 0.59m in depth. Both had been cut the linear feature (F015) to the east and had been filled with a loose dark brown peaty clay (F013) containing occasional angular stone. The possible pit (F016) measured 1.58m in length, 1.23m in width and 0.28m in depth had been filled with a loose dark brown peaty clay (F025) containing occasional small round stones. The linear feature (F015) was oriented north – south and measured 11.9m in length and 1.3m in width and had been filled with a loose dark brown peaty clay (F013). A number of sandstone and limestone stones (F021 & F022) had been placed north and south of the trough F017 within the linear feature which may has acted as a control measure to regulate the flow of water entering and leaving the trough. The trough (F017) measured 1.35m in length, 1.09m in width and 0.17m in depth and was lined with a number of sandstone flagstones (F023), with moss and sand (F024) laid in-between the stones. The lower portions of five timber stakes (F020) were identified around the edges of the stone base which may have held part of a wattle structure forming the trough sides. Redeposited natural clay (F019) identified to the south of the trough may have been upcast from the trough excavation.

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