County: Mayo Site name: Lawn Road, Gorteendrunagh, Castlebar
Sites and Monuments Record No.: MAO78:003: Historic Town Licence number: 24E0613
Author: Derek Gallagher, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd
Site type: Burnt mound spread
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 515137m, N 780010m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.762775, -9.287080
A total of 15 test trenches were excavated, covering 597 linear meters. The topsoil was mainly a peaty clay with large stone boulders. The natural subsoil varied from orange boulder clay to bedrock to compact gravel. A previous development had disturbed the northern end of the field, causing large overgrown spoil heaps. At the southern end, overhead electricity cables prevented the south-western corner from being tested.
Testing at the southern end of the site identified two burnt mound spreads (C3 and C5) and a possible pit (C4). The burnt mound spread C3 (measured c. 11m by 19m) was identified in Trenches 11 and 18. A possible pit (C4) was identified 2m to the south in Trench C19. The second burnt mound (C5) (measured c. 16m by 15.5m), was identified to the north in Trenches 7, 8, and 20.
The proposed development will directly impact the archaeological features. Preservation in situ is not an option; therefore, preservation by record (full excavation) is recommended.
Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.
