2020:786 - DRUMNEEN, Mayo

The author was commissioned by Wills-BAM Joint Venture to undertake a programme of archaeological testing of the site of a proposed temporary topsoil storage area (TSA04) at Drumneen townland, Co. Mayo. The TSA is located on a west-facing slope of improved pasture with marshy land at the foot of the slope. The nearest recorded monuments are MA078-042—- classified as a Ringfort – rath (100m to the south), and MA078-040—-, classified as a Ringfort – rath (350m to the northwest). Also nearby, an archaeological site comprising a burnt spread and trough (Lisnageeha or Antiqua 3) was excavated to the north of the TSA.

Testing was carried out on 10 June 2020. Nine test trenches were excavated at the site in generally bright and sunny conditions.

In general, the stratigraphy comprised a homogenous mid-brown sandy silty topsoil and sod ranging in depth from 200–250mm overlying a natural yellowish to brown compact clay subsoil with frequent inclusions of medium-sized stones to the east. The lower ground to the west comprised deep deposits of peat reaching up to 1.3m in depth. Two north south-aligned modern drainage features were observed at the western end of the site.

Nothing of archaeological significance was noted.