Road

The site (L 10m; Wth 2.5m; D 0.23m) is orientated SE-NW and composed of longitudinal roundwoods (diam. 0.075m max.) and brushwood (diam. 0.006-0.057m) up to six layers in depth. Most of the wood is birch with some hazel, oak and ash and a single birch half-split was recorded. A linear arrangement of thirty-one posts and stakes secures the S edge of the site. These occur singly, in pairs, in groups of three and in small clusters inserted into the peat at angles of 45-85° and the interval between post clusters averages 0.2m. The uprights (L 0.17-0.69m; diam. 0.03-0.85m) are predominantly hazel with some birch and oak and the ends were finished into chisel and wedge points. Several distinctly concave tool signatures were recorded indicating that at least two posts were trimmed with the same blade (Wth 0.049m; D 0.004m). The structure is somewhat less compact along its N side with several oblique and transverse timbers extending beyond the edge of the site including an oak outer tangential split with burnt upper and lower surfaces. Three large posts also occurred along this side of the structure and a small number of hazelnuts were also noted. This site, or its neighbour SMR OF006-079002-, may be associated with SMR OF006-079001-. Radiocarbon dated to 1682-1448 cal. BC (GrN-21259). Compiled by: Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit (University College Dublin). Date of upload: 23 May 2011