2016:573 - CLAGGARNAGH EAST (6), Mayo
County: Mayo
Site name: CLAGGARNAGH EAST (6)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: E004695.
Author: Siobhan McNamara, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit
Author/Organisation Address: Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth
Site type: Metalworking site
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 508662m, N 786661m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.821431, -9.387224
This site was identified by an initial phase of testing in 2015 and geophysical survey had detected anomalies at this location. The site comprised a possible furnace, a pit and a number of oxidised and charcoal spreads. Oxidised soil was widespread across the site and it was heavily truncated by modern cultivation furrows. The feature (F10) that may represent a collapsed furnace was sub-oval in plan and measured 1.27m by 1.02m with a depth of 0.6m. It had an oxidised base and contained slag throughout its fill. The pit (F08) also had evidence of in-situ burning in its base. It was sub-rectangular in plan measuring 1.25m by 1.52m with a depth of 0.12m. Two small spreads containing charcoal were exposed further north. Subsequent ploughing disturbed the site and slag was recovered from furrows across the site.
Post-excavation analysis is ongoing for this site and it is hoped to obtain dating evidence from radiocarbon analysis of charcoal samples recovered.