Eachtra Journal

ISSN 2009-2237

A burnt mound at Caherweelder 6, Co. Galway (E3871)

October, 2010 · Written by: Eachtra Print This Page This entry is part 9 of 23 in the Issue 08

Archaeological Excavation Report

Burnt mound

This report constitutes the final excavation report for a burnt mound in the townland of Caherweelder, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of a burnt mound and six associated troughs.

The excavation revealed the presence of a shallow burnt mound located along the break in slope on the western edge of a former turlough. Six troughs of varying size and shape were also identified below the burnt mound. Two Early Bronze Age radiocarbon dates of cal BC 2195–2040 was given for samples from the mound and a basal trough fill. A late Mesolithic chert blade (E3871:5:1) was recovered during the excavation. This was one of a cluster of burnt mounds located in Caherweelder townland.

The burnt mound site known as Caherweelder 6 is located straddling the break in slope on the western edge of a turlough. This preference for wetland margins has been consistently noted by other commentators (Gowen et al 2005 and Grogan 2007). Grogan (2007) states that in the ‘Mooghaun area of south-east Clare the majority of fulacht fiadh occur along the margins of turloughs, bogs and marshy areas’. The burnt mound sites at Moyveela (to the north) which were excavated as part of the same programme of excavations had a similar location on slightly raised ground on the edge of a turlough.

Authors: Linda Hegarty & Finn Delaney

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