2016:516 - Claggarnagh West 5, Mayo

The burnt spread (F003) measured 3.05m in length, 2.44m in width and 0.12m in thickness and consisted of a compact mid brown – black silty clay containing frequent burnt sandstone and charcoal flecks. It lay above a layer of loose mid brown peaty clay (F005) and a compact redeposited grey silty clay (F008). One possible pit (F011) was exposed. It measured 2.42m in length, 0.89m in width and 0.14m in depth and had been filled with a compact dark brown silty clay (F010) containing frequent inclusions of broken unworked chert. The trough F006 measured 1.5m in length, 1.2m in width and 0.36m in depth and had been filled with a loose black silty clay (F007) containing frequent inclusions of organic matter and stones and moderate inclusions of burnt flint. The fill (F007) measured 0.23m in thickness and lay above the timber-lined trough base (F015) which consisted of 11 timbers laid horizontally east – west. The timbers were associated with three timber posts (F016, F017 & F019) and fourteen timber stakes (F020) and included pointed, worked and apparently sawn timbers which had obviously been re-used from an earlier structure. The posts were identified at the south-west edge of the trough and may have formed a fence or windbreak on this side. The fourteen stakes were identified within the trough F006 and were used as structural elements within the construction of the timber base F015.

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