Burnt mound in Ardnaglass Lower

In the NW corner of a pasture field, located in damp, level rush-grown ground, bordered to E by a low natural rise. This burnt mound, probably a levelled fulacht fia, is not visible at ground surface level, but is exposed in section in two intersecting field field drains. A dense layer (L 15m; D 0.23-0.3m) of burnt stones in black, charcoal-rich soil is exposed in section in both the E and W sides of a roughly N−S field drain (Wth 1.2m at top, 0.6m base; D 0.4-0.5m), which cuts through the wet NW corner of the field. The burnt layer is directly overlain by topsoil/sod (D 0.15-0.2m), and overlies a peat layer. The drain intersects at its N end with an E−W field drain on the N boundary of the field. The burnt stone layer is also visible in the E−W drain, extending to E for c. 5m from the point of intersection with the N−S drain. Attached image: SL005-200----_01.JPG Burnt stone visible in drain section, viewed from SE. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 9 October 2020

Burnt mound in Ardnaglass Lower is a fulacht fia, dating to the Early to Middle Bronze Age. These features were likely used for cooking or processing activities and are significant as widespread indicators of prehistoric settlement and land use in Ireland.