County: Roscommon Site name: Carroweighter 4
Sites and Monuments Record No.: RO034-112004 Licence number: E004889; C000654
Author: David McIlreavy, IAC Ltd
Site type: Enclosure
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 577729m, N 769587m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.675545, -8.337069
Stage (iii) archaeological excavation was carried out at Carroweighter 4 in advance of the N60 Oran Road Realignment Project, Co. Roscommon. The site was discovered during Stage (i) archaeological testing (11E0247) and was assessed during Stage (ii) Pre-Excavation Services.
Carroweighter 4 (RO034-112004) was dominated by a large penannular enclosure at the centre of the site which comprised two curvilinear sections with a south-east-facing entrance. As well as the naturally accumulated basal fill, a number of charcoal-rich and animal bone (both burnt and unburnt) deposits were placed in the ditch which suggest domestic activity or occupation despite the absence of in-situ burning. Ceramic and metal finds were recovered from the basal fills.
Other features included earlier linear and curvilinear features, one of which appeared to represent a screen or windbreak. A large spread of burnt material was also interpreted as being contemporaneous with this earlier phase of activity. Later features were represented by a charcoal clamp and a second spread of charcoal-rich material.
The archaeological activity at Carroweighter 4 was followed by a relatively intensive period of cultivation activity. This activity was considered to be 19th century in date and therefore not archaeological.
Post-excavation analyses are ongoing for this excavation.
IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
