County: Tyrone Site name: Eskragh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/18/168
Author: András Hindli
Site type: Prehistoric/fulacht fiadh
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 669495m, N 858293m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.468362, -6.927953
Archaeological works were carried out in advance of the development of the Gas to the West pipeline project at Plot 50.04, townland of Eskragh, County Tyrone.
The identified site consisted of a fulacht fiadh (burnt mound and trough) located at the bottom of a slope between two hilltops. To the west of the feature, a narrow stream running north-north-east/south-south-west forms the boundary of the field.
The mound of burnt material was irregular in plan (8.8m x 8.7m x 0.05-0.25m), partially truncated by drainage systems and heavily disturbed by root activity on the eastern half.
The trough was found underneath the central portion of the burnt mound. It was oval in plan, orientated north-east/south-west and measured 1.7m x 1.15m x 0.45m.
Three significant artefacts were recovered during the excavation, including a leaf-shaped arrowhead (surface find), worked flint blade and a scraper (found within the burnt mound). In addition, several pieces of struck flint debitage were also identified within the spread of burnt material and in proximity to it.
All of the archaeological features were fully excavated. Post-excavation works are ongoing.
John Cronin and Associates, Burnside, St. Oran Rd, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
