County: Mayo Site name: Drummindoo 4
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E004726
Author: Ian Russel
Site type: Burnt stone spread
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 502207m, N 785721m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.811813, -9.484927
A substantial undisturbed burnt stone mound (F3) measuring 12m north-south by 14m was identified at Drummindoo 4. It averaged 0.6-0.7m in thickness but near the centre of the mound it reached a maximum of 0.8m and directly overlay marl at the edge of an area of peat. Three successive earth-cut troughs were identified.
Trough 1 was almost circular in plan with a concave profile and contained mound material and some preserved worked timbers which may have lined and/or covered the trough. It measured 2m north-south by 2.2m with a maximum depth of 0.5m in the centre.
Trough 2 was located to the south and measured 1.8m north-south by 1.4m with an average internal depth of 0.38m. The trough contained the remains of a timber lining including preserved stakes, posts and moss. The moss preserved within the trough may have been used to filter infilling water.
Trough 3 was truncated by Trough 2 and all that remained were twelve basal timbers covering an area of 1.2m north-south by 1.3m. Nearby a shallow band of charcoal (0.05m in thickness) measuring 4m east-west by 0.5m may be associated with a possible hearth close to the troughs.
Soil samples were taken from the site and radiocarbon analysis of any charcoal present should provide a date range for the use of this site. No finds were recovered from the archaeological features
Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth
