Fulacht fia in Gortadroma

Archaeological excavation by Deborah Sutton and Tony Cummins (05E0626) revealed 'a sub-oval spread (10.5m south-west/north-east by 8m) of heat-shattered sandstone within charcoal-enriched silty soil. The stone deposit was up to 0.2m deep along the western edge and directly overlay the fibrous peaty subsoil. A blackened heat-cracked slab (0.18m north-south by 0.24m by 0.05m thick), embedded in a greyish-black charcoal-stained silty material (0.06m thick), was exposed within the heat-shattered stone deposit towards the centre of the spread. This slab may have provided a flat surface on which to cook and may have been used as a pot stand. Alternatively, food may have been placed directly on the flat surface for cooking. The location of the flat stone within the heat-shattered stone deposit suggests use of the site over a period of time.' This description is posted on the web at the following internet address (accessed 3 August 2012): http://www.excavations.ie/ Compiled by: Denis Power Date of Upload: 3 August 2012