County: Roscommon Site name: Gortnacrannagh 3
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E5132
Author: Clare Mullins on behalf of Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS)
Site type: Burnt spread
Period/Dating: Chalcolithic (2500 BC-2201 BC)
ITM: E 584618m, N 786634m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.828982, -8.233654
Gortnacrannagh 3 consisted of a burnt spread located in a pasture field west of the N61, to the southwest of Elphin. The site was initially identified through geophysical survey (Registration No. R0509), conducted by Target Archaeological Geophysics Ltd., which detected a weak magnetic response potentially indicating a burnt spread/mound (Nicholls 2019, 28). The subsurface remains of a burnt spread were subsequently revealed during Stage (i)a Standard Test Excavations, carried out by Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS) under Ministerial Direction (Direction No. A077, Registration No. E5070). The testing found the burnt spread was 9m by 7.6m in plan and 0.15m deep (Hardy 2021).
The on-site Stage (iii) Excavation Services at Gortnacrannagh 3 were undertaken by AMS between 24 February and 9 March 2020. The archaeological remains consisted of a burnt spread, a trough, a pit, a smaller pit or natural depression, a possible post-hole, and a north–south-orientated ditch. The trough was oval in plan, 2.35m long, 1.55m wide and 0.36m deep, and centrally located within the arc of the burnt spread. A sample of hazel charcoal from the basal fill of the trough returned a Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age date of 2402–2149 cal. BC (UBA-46764; 3824±23BP).
The pit was irregular in plan, 2.8m long, 1–1.9m wide and a maximum of 0.15m deep and partially covered by the spread. A sample of alder charcoal from the one of the basal fills of the pit returned a Chalcolithic date of 2470–2301 cal. BC (UBA-46765; 3916±24BP).
The spread was 8.5m long by 7.5m wide and a maximum of 0.15m deep. It formed an arc around the western side of and extended over the trough. The possible post-hole and smaller pit were located just beyond the limits of the spread and, while they cannot be stratigraphically tied to it, are likely associated. The ditch was likely part of a post-medieval agricultural land division or drainage system.
An incomplete flint secondary blade (E5132:1) and a tertiary flint trimming flake (E5132:2) were found within the burnt spread. Charred wood remains from the burnt spread and the fills of the trough and pit comprised hazel, ash, alder, oak, blackthorn/cherry and pomaceous fruitwood.
References
Hardy, C. 2021. N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project Stage (i)a, (i)b, (i)c Test Excavation, Stage (i)m Testing in Felled Forestry & Stage (i)f Townland Boundary Survey. Ministerial Direction No. A077, Registration No. E5070. Unpublished AMS report for RCC and TII.
Nicholls, J. 2019. Geophysical Survey Report: N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project, County Roscommon. Unpublished report by Target Archaeological Geophysics Ltd. for Roscommon County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
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31 Millford, Athgarvan, Co. Kildare
