Pit in Ballymackeamore

Excavation by Emer Dennehy (02E0490), during the monitoring of topsoil-stripping along the route of Bord Gáis Éireann Pipeline to the West, revealed an 'isolated pit measured 0.52m north-south by 0.45m and was 0.2m deep. The east and west sides were stepped; the north side was straight; and the south side was overcut. There were two distinct fills. The lower fill was composed of 20% sandstone in an orange/brown silty clay matrix with charcoal flecks. The upper fill was composed of 5% burnt sandstone in a dark grey, silty clay matrix with 12% charcoal and 3% burnt clay. No artefacts or inclusions were identified within the fill to indicate its function or time frame. The presence of charcoal and burnt clay may indicate that it functioned as a small pot-boiler.' The above description is posted on the web at the following internet address: http://www.excavations.ie/ (accessed 22 August 2012). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 22 August 2012