Road — class 2 togher in Edercloon

This togher (L 12m; Wth 4.8m; D 0.6m), orientated NW-SE, joined with other toghers (LF004-003---- and LF004-024----) at its NW and SE ends respectively. Where it merged with the togher at its NW end, the transverses of one were indistinguishable from those of the other in a small area. As it extended to the SE of this togher, it consisted of three longitudinal roundwood runners (L 2.65-5.1m; diam. 0.06-0.09m). These were laid an average of 1m apart, two at each edge and one in the centre, however, that on the N edge appeared to have slipped and at its SE end lay only 0.05m from the central runner. The N and central runners were overlain by transverse roundwood (diam. 0.06-0.2m; L 2.1m max.), brushwood (diam. 0.03-0.055m; L 0.3-2m) and small split timbers, which only abutted the S runner. In addition, a large amount of transverse but fragmentary brushwood and roundwood lay between the runners. Occasional pegs, set between 0.5 and 3.7m apart, were located at the N edge. This portion of the togher was 5.1m in length. To the SE of the three longitudinal runners, the togher became less structured and was composed of transverse brushwood (diam. 0.025-0.03m; L 0.2-0.23m). These were quite sparsely laid for a distance of c. 5m, becoming more densely laid to the SE. Beyond these the line of sight appeared to shift slightly to the N, and so the N edge extended beyond the development footprint. In this area (Trench 12) the togher was composed of roughly transverse roundwood (diam. 0.14m max.; L 1.4m min.). These were interspersed with brushwood and overlay several transverse roundwoods, occasional brushwood and a large split timber. This material was part of the 'S'-shaped section of another togher (LF004-024----). Overall the condition of the wood was moderate and analysis of toolmarks suggested the use of iron axes. Two samples of oak were found to be from the same tree as an oak sample from a platform (LF004-025----) but none produced a dendrochronological date. One of the samples was, however, radiocarbon dated and revealed date ranges of 900-760 cal BC (Wk-25191). A piece of birch was radiocarbon dated to 390-180 cal BC (Wk-20917). In addition to its stratigraphic relationships with the two aforementioned toghers (LF004-003---- and LF004-024----), this togher lay 0.1-0.2m below the edge of a structure (LF004-021----) and a roundwood from the latter abutted part of the togher. Another togher (LF004-034----) lay 0.37m beneath it and a structure (LF004-044----) lay 0.45m below it (Moore and O’Connor 2009a, 34-5, EDC 31). Compiled by: Mary Tunney based on data kindly supplied by Caitríona Moore. The attached image is copyright and uploaded courtesy of CRDS Ltd. Date of upload: 26 August 2011