2020:290 - Colladussaun, Mayo

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Mayo Site name: Colladussaun

Sites and Monuments Record No.: None Licence number: 20E0341

Author: Richard Crumlish

Site type: No archaeology found

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 521731m, N 808043m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.015660, -9.194256

Pre-development testing of a site at Colladussaun townland, Knockmore, Ballina, Co. Mayo, was carried out on 8 July 2020. The project consisted of the construction of a dwelling house to include proprietary wastewater treatment system and percolation area and associated site works. The testing was carried out in response to a Request for Further Information by Mayo County Council and was necessary as the proposed development was located within the constraint for a court tomb (RMP No. MA048-041).
The proposed development site was located close to the eastern shore of Lough Conn and consisted of a field of pasture which sloped down gently from north to south. The court tomb was located in the north-eastern corner of the field and was completely overgrown with sycamore, elder, hawthorn and briars.
The testing consisted of the excavation of five trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development, especially that closest to the monument. The trenches measured 40m, 41m, 29.5m, 7m and 3.5m long respectively, 1.9-6.5m wide and 0.3-0.95m deep.
The testing revealed evidence of land/field reclamation at the site, in the form of redeposited material below the topsoil and above the natural subsoils. No artefacts were uncovered. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.

4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo