Burnt mound in Illaunyregan

Monitoring of topsoil stripping (Licence Numbers 21D0048 and 21R0093) in August 2021 in connection with the Springfield Flood Relief Scheme resulted in the identification a number of spreads of burnt mound material. Burnt mound 1 was sub-oval in plan (23.5m NW-SE; 3.8m NE-SW) and it extended beyond the N limit of the works area. This was the largest feature identified and was preserved in situ. Three spreads of burnt mound material (loosely compacted, greyish-black silty clay containing frequent charcoal and heat-shattered stone) lay c. 2-5m to the S and these were fully excavated in September 2021 by F. Walsh (Licence 20E0737). They were disturbed by modern activity and are likely to represent part of burnt mound 1. A stone axe fragment was found in one of these adjacent spreads. Another burnt mound (CL063-033----) lies c. 55m to the NW. (Malek and Walsh 2022) The following item has been uploaded: CL063-032----_01.png Plan of spreads from Malek and Walsh 2022 report. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 23 May 2022

Burnt mound, likely dating to the Bronze Age. Its significance lies in providing evidence of domestic or ritual heating activities typical of early farming communities.