Road — class 2 togher in Kilmakill

A peatland survey carried out in 2006 by Archaeological Development Services recorded a togher measuring in ‘width 0.3-2.8m, depth 0.05-0.17m, length 60m, dated to 1559±9BC’ (Whitaker 2006, 104) Described by Whitaker (2006, 104-05) as ‘this plank trackway was located on the northern side of the bog and was visible, in the drain faces and on the bog surface, at six sightings. It was orientated northwest-southeast and was composed of longitudinally laid oak planks and roundwood elements. The composition of the trackway was consistent at all six sightings. TS-LFP005a, 222622, 161744, Width 0.38m, Depth 0.07m. This sighting was located at the northwestern end of the trackway and was visible in the drain face, 0.15m below the field surface. It was composed of a single longitudinally laid plank that was in a moderate state of preservation. It was orientated northwest-southeast and measured 0.3m in width and 0.07m in depth. The peat was composed of poorly humified Sphagnum peat with occasional Eriophorum inclusions. TS-LFP005b, 222625,161743, Width 0.7m, Depth 0.08m. This sighting was located 1m southeast of TS-LFP005a on the opposing field surface. It was composed of two longitudinally laid planks with a stone on their northern side. The planks were poorly preserved due to exposure to machinery on the field surface. The planks were 1m apart,indicating that they were originally laid end to end. They measured 0.37m and 0.5m in length, 0.18m and 0.26m in width and 0.08m and 0.06m in depth, respectively. The peat was composed of poorly humified Sphagnum-rich peat with frequent Eriohorum and moderate Calluna inclusions. TS-LFP005c, 222640,161736, Width 2.2m, Depth 0.17m. This sighting was located 10m southeast of TS-LFP003b and was visible in the drain face 0.26m below the field surface. It was composed of a longitudinally laid plank and three longitudinal roundwoods. The wood was in a moderate state of preservation, apart from where it was exposed in the drain face. The plank was located at the centre of the sighting, with one of the roundwoods laid directly on top of it. The other roundwood longitudinals were located 1m to the north and 0.65m to the south of the plank, respectively. The plank measured 0.3m in width and 0.07m in depth. The diameters of the roundwoods varied from 0.06 to 0.14m. The peat was composed of poorly humified Sphagnum-rich peat with occasional Eriophorum inclusions. TS-LFP005d, 222652,161752, Width 0.32m, Depth 0.05m. This sighting was visible in the drain face, 0.36m below the field surface. It was composed of a single longitudinally laid plank that was in a poor state of preservation. It was orientated northwest—southeast and measured 0.32m in width and 0.05m in depth. The peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum peat with occasional Eriophorum inclusions. TS-LFP005e, 222667,161715, Width 0.32m, Depth 0.05m. This sighting was located 15m southeast of TI-LFP005d and was visible in the drain face, 0.22m below the field surface. It was composed of a single longitudinally laid plank that was in a moderate state of preservation. It was orientated northwest—southeast and measured 0.45m in width and 0.12m in depth. The peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum peat with occasional Eriophorum inclusions. TS-LFP005f, 222684,161707, Width 0.32m, Depth 0.05m. This sighting was located at the southeastern side of the trackway, 15m southeast of TS-LFP005d. It was visible in the drain face, 0.05m below the field surface. It was composed of three parallel longitudinal planks laid 0.1 to 0.15m apart. They were in a moderate state of preservation. The plank on the northern side of the others was the largest and measured 0.25m in width and 0.09m in depth. The smaller planks both measured 0.1m in width and 0.05m and 0.06m in depth. The peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum peat with occasional Eriophorum Inclusions’. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 19 August 2012