Céide Centre

Archaeological Excavations in association with the construction of the
Cide Visitor Centre (E494)

Stratigraphic Report
Gretta Byrne, Noel Dunne

Seamas Caulfield, Graeme Warren, Patrick Walsh, David McIlreavy and Stuart Rathbone
UCD School of Archaeology

Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research Fund 2009 INSTAR: GRANT No. 16710 November 2009 Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report
Table of contents
1. General Information............................................................................................... 2 1.1 Introduction...................................................................................................... 2 1.2 NBNM: Background and Methodology ............................................................. 2 2. Site Location & Description ................................................................................... 4 2.1 Location and Land Use ................................................................................... 4 3. Results .................................................................................................................. 8 3.1 Stratigraphy ..................................................................................................... 8 Zone 1: 1989: excavations on site of proposed centre........................................ 8 Zone 2: Site of current Visitor Centre and associated infrastructure ................. 10 Zone 3: Walls ................................................................................................... 17 3.2 Results: Artefacts........................................................................................... 20 3.3 Results: Samples........................................................................................... 21 3.4 Results: Dating .............................................................................................. 21 4. Discussion........................................................................................................... 22 4.1 Walls .......................................................................................................... 22 4.2 Structures and occupation.......................................................................... 22 4.3 Ploughing and Cultivation........................................................................... 24 5. Bibliography ........................................................................................................ 25 6. Figures ................................................................................................................ 27 7. Appendices ......................................................................................................... 42 Appendix One: Feature Register.......................................................................... 42 Appendix Two: Photographic Register ................................................................. 44 Appendix Three: Drawing Register ...................................................................... 52 Appendix Four: Finds Register............................................................................. 54 Appendix Five: Sample Register.......................................................................... 64 Appendix Six: Summary of archival materials from Dunnes excavations............. 65
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1. General Information
1.1 Introduction
The following report contains a detailed account of the archive from the excavations that have been undertaken at various times between 1989 and 1993 in the vicinity of the visitor centre at the Cide Fields. Licence E494 was granted for all the archaeological excavation work carried out during the construction of the access roads, the car park and the interpretative centre itself. There was also a watching brief undertaken by a qualified archaeologist while the peat was being removed. The excavations were directed in the main by Gretta Byrne. Noel Dunne directed the excavations in the car park. The ground works provided an opportunity to uncover any unknown archaeological features that may have remained sealed by the peat. A strategy of preservation by record was applied for this specific site. In some cases there were time constraints and or poor weather conditions whereby archaeological excavations could not proceed, a strategy of preservation in situ was then applied. The archaeological excavations were also suited for display purposes which involved the movement of peat in the form of cuttings. The excavations were significant in terms of uncovering more of the stone walls, recovering of finds and the discovery of a possible pre bog structure. The original excavation funding did not provide for postexcavation analysis, and as a consequence, it has been difficult to develop the archives for full publication. In 2009 grant support through INSTAR has enabled the Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo (NBNM) project to work on these materials and make considerable progress towards publication of the sites.
1.2 NBNM: Background and Methodology

The Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo (NBNM) project aims to bring to full publication critically important aspects of the Neolithic and Bronze Age archaeology of North Mayo. The overarching aims of the project address four areas: Noel Dunnes survey work on the Pollatomish peninsula; Seamas Caulfields survey/excavation in Belderrig; survey and excavation by varied parties at Cide Fields; and Gretta Byrnes survey/excavation from Ballinglen to Rathlackan. Individually these are important sites and/or landscapes, taken as a whole they are of international significance in terms of understanding early agricultural communities in north-west Europe. Furthermore, the buried landscapes of the Cide Fields are iconic for Irish archaeology and a state candidate for World Heritage Site status. The project builds on the success of the Cide Fields work in outreach, and remedies the lack of full academic publication. Our model is for a three year project resulting in: - an academic monograph detailing results of survey, excavation and further specialist work - full excavation reports and archives deposited with the relevant authorities - a book targeted at the general public outlining the nature, significance and future of these archaeological landscapes At present, funding has been obtained for the first year of this project which focuses on preparing stratigraphic accounts of all of the excavations, archiving materials, generating basic catalogues and processing relevant samples. The enclosed reports outline the results of this project. The specific excavations included in this proposal are: Belderg Beg (Caulfield), Behy ( Nuallin), Glenulra Enclosure (Caulfield), Cide Visitor Centre (Byrne and Dunne), Glenulra Scatter (Byrne), Rathlackan Court Tomb (Byrne). Project partners include
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Seamas Caulfield, Gretta Byrne, Martin Downes,Noel Dunne and Graeme Warren (Project Coordinator). Grant support for 2009 enabled us to hire two research assistants, Mr Stuart Rathbone and Mr David McIlreavy and a research fellow, Mr Patrick Walsh. These three researchers were based in Belderrig from August-Nov 2009 The nature of the archives encountered by this current phase of analysis varied. The earlier excavations took place in a different archaeological framework: single context recording was not carried out, and expectations of the scale and character of recording were very different to today. In general for the earlier excavations, the written archive is poor, but the recollections of the excavator, alongside a good photographic and drawn record, has enabled a good level of reconstruction of stratigraphy. The more recent excavations have a more complete archive, and here we have focused on synthesising the annual reports previously presented. Illustrations: This phase of the project did not attempt to create any final illustrations for publication, consequently, the images reproduced here are not those that would accompany a final report. They include plates and a range of line drawings, some fully inked up, some still in pencil. In as far as is possible these images have been presented to a high standard, but many require formal digitising and standardisation which it has not been possible to undertake at this stage. Likewise, for some sites, an overall spatial plan has not been produced, and we rely on the original location maps produced by the excavators. Artefacts/Samples: as part of the analysis all artefacts and samples were catalogued by David McIlreavy. These catalogues are preliminary only, and in all instances the material requires specialist analysis. For lithics a broad classification was utilised by DMI comprising tools (formal retouched objects), blades/flakes/cores and finally small production waste (debitage, informally defined): these terminologies are not those used in standard lithic analysis. Ceramics, in particular, present some challenges, as many pieces are highly degraded. All artefacts are formally labelled and boxed according to NMI standard. Samples have been catalogued and a preliminary assessment of their quality made. Radiocarbon dates: unless stated otherwise, all radiocarbon dates are quoted at 95% confidence intervals and have been calibrated with Oxcal 3.10
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2. Site Location & Description

2.1 Location and Land Use
Mayo 1992:145 'Cide Fields', Glenulra G066389 SMR 006:03202 The Cide Fields lie 6.5 km west from Ballycastle on the Northern shore of Co. Mayo (Figure 1). The Cide Fields encompass the townlands of Belderg Glenglassera and Behy to the west and Glenulra, Sralagagh, Ballyknock and Aghoo to the east. The Cide Fields are at a central location between these townlands on the boundary of Glenulra and Behy. The name Cide is a convenient label for this specific region rather than a specific town land and the field systems themselves extend to Noel Dunnes survey work on the Pollatomish peninsula in the west and Gretta Byrnes survey/excavation from Ballinglen to Rathlackan in the east. The field systems are extensive, but in the immediate vicinity of the Vistors Centre run down gentle slopes in a generally south west-north east trend, culminating in the spectacular Cide cliffs (Figure 2). The Cide Visitor centre is located on the spur of hillside which divides the valleys of Behy and Glenulra and ends in the sheer cliff. The ground rises in gradient gently southwards reaching the hilltop of Maumakeogh which is at a height of 379 O.D. To the east and west there are a series of streams that run downslope. To the west at 1.2km there is the Owenbehy River while 1.6km to the east the landscape is interrupted by the Glenulra River. The north Mayo coast from Belderrig to Killala Bay is highly varied, with complex geological and geomorphological sequences. In the west extensively deformed preCambrian metamorphics form the core of the landscape (Sleeman 1992), which is characterised by rounded hills, sharp cliffs and bleak bog-filled basins and wet podsol soils. Approximately half way between Belderrig and the Cide Fields, these schists give way to a variety of Carboniferous limestones and sand/siltstones. Hill and plateaux peat is present in the uplands, with blanket peat extending down the hills, but in the lowlands the land is of higher quality; with brown earth soils in the Ballyglass region and grey brown podzolic soils near Ballycastle. On the plateau east of Ballycastle bog and podzols dominate again. The main Cide Fields lie in an area of blanket bog, developed over Carboniferous sedimentary geology. The site of the excavations is situated on gently sloping ground falling out to the sea and he areas around the Interpretative Centre were entirely covered by a depth of 0.3m-0.9m of cutover peat with uncut banks up to 2m deep. Today the vegetation at the archaeological site at Glenulra is somewhat drier than that of the surrounding blanket bog. This appears to be the product of peat removal, road building and archaeological excavation associated with the visitor centre. The land around the Glenurla enclosure, beyond the area owned by the OPW, is now used for ad hoc peat extraction for private domestic use and widespread sheep grazing. There are some isolated fields that have been reclaimed for agriculture along the more fertile land located close to the steep cliffs which form the dramatic coastline. 2.2 Description of Site The archaeological landscapes of North Mayo are famous for their sub-bog prehistoric landscape. The general features of this landscape are familiar, and do not need to be detailed here. In brief, a large coaxial field system defined by substantial stone walls has been identified by survey and excavation. The very extensive subPage 4 of 65
rectangular fields appear to have been designed for a largely pastoral economy (Caulfield 1978; 1983; 1988). The field system does vary across the North Mayo coastline, but it is the regular ladder patterns of Cide that dominate the imagination. The field system includes tombs, enclosures and a great variety of structural and other evidence (see below for discussion). Dating evidence suggests a Neolithic age for the majority of these features. As noted above, sub-bog field systems are known from throughout the North Mayo coast, but are mapped most coherently at Cide. The visitor centre is centrally located in what appears to be one of the most complete parts of the system. 2.3 Methodology and Archive The strategy for this excavation differs from the other sites that were excavated in the North Mayo project as it was a development led initiative. Licence E494 was granted for all the archaeological excavation work carried out during the construction of the access roads, the car park and the interpretative centre itself. There was also a watching brief undertaken by a qualified archaeologist while the peat was being removed. The excavations were directed in the main by Gretta Byrne. Noel Dunne directed the excavations in the car park. The ground works provided an opportunity to uncover any unknown archaeological features that may have remained sealed by the peat. A strategy of preservation by record was applied for this specific site. In some cases there were time constraints and or poor weather conditions whereby archaeological excavations could not proceed, a strategy of preservation in situ was then applied. The archaeological excavations were also suited for display purposes which involved the movement of peat in the form of cuttings. The site archive was well advanced before the onset of this project. The director of logged summary accounts of the excavations which can be found under www.excavations ie and fulfilled her obligations by logging the site reports with the archaeological licensing section at the Department of Environment and Local Government. Excavations were carried out by hand and a high quality record of feature numbers, photographs and plans all related to the site. The drawn element from the site is very comprehensive and the drawings are of a particularly high quality with detailed spatial information for finds and archaeological features. The artefacts were given find location. There were samples taken from the individual features some of which were sent for analysis, details of which are contained in this report. Feature numbers were used although standard context sheets were not completed for all features. The written record contained within the site diaries is reasonably comprehensive, although it is not presented in the standardized way that the use of context sheets enforces. This phase has therefore standardised where possible, and where necessary feature numbers were added. This site was primarily a development led excavation as explained, but there were also broader research aims applied. The cuttings were opened to determine in part the nature of the archaeological material and also to assess its relationship, both chronological and functional, to the Neolithic field system. Following on from the uncovering of the archaeological features including the possible structure in 1989 this prompted some new research questions which included; 1. What is the complete nature of this possible structure here? 2. Is this possible structure contemporary with the oval enclosure to the south? 3. Why was this possible structure not surrounded by a stone enclosure?
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Although some discussion can be generated from the findings at Cide, due to the restrictions on the amount of trenches or cuttings that were opened on the Cide site the full extent of the features were not exposed and therefore attempts to discuss the significance of these features is necessarily speculative. The excavations involved many small excavations, and many trenches developed over time. Cutting identification is therefore complex. It has not been possible to consolidate all site plans in this phase of analysis and all plans are as presented by Byrne/Dunne in the previous stratigraphic reports. 1989 This a pre-development excavation on the site of the then proposed building, directed on sole licence by Byrne on contract to Cide Fields Co. with a support role played by Prof Seamas Caulfield, and his students. This work was undertaken over 5 weeks in 1989 and a further 3 weeks in 1990. The excavation team included Ailbhe Ni Riain, Liam Mc Gee, Mairead Doherty, Helene Bradly, Anne Kinney, Alex Kennedy, Karen Stierle, Turlough Downes, Eoin Sullivan, Rossa Brazil, Christine Grant, Patsy Mc Cabe, Jenny Fausset, Margaret O Flanagan and Christy Lawless. This area was not completed but as the plans for building here were abandoned the cuttings were backfilled and restored to their original appearance, leaving any unexcavated material still intact. These 12 cuttings were labelled A to L. Three of these cuttings, B, D and E, were uncovering sections of wall for display and the remainder were sample trenches to test for any archaeological material. Cuttings B, D and E were later incorporated into wall exposures 5A and/orD, 1A and 1B respectively. 1990 Exposure of walls for public display undertaken from April to November 90 under a joint licence with Noel Dunne on contract to Cide Fields Co. The purpose was to uncover walls that were located by probing but hidden from view under the peat. It was the policy to have as little disturbance of the stones as possible. These walls were numbered from 1 to 12 and the cuttings were numbered with a Wall number followed by a letter eg. 1:A. Because other areas on some of these walls were excavated in 1993 using the same identification system these cutting sequences do not always run in order along a wall as they reflect the date of excavation not a geographical location. For example, cuttings 2A-2D run north to south along a long length of wall but Cutting 2F, excavated in 1993, lies in between cuttings 2D and 2E both excavated in 1990. A total length of 190m of wall was uncovered in 33 separate cuttings from 1990 to 1991. The exposed walls were all built from the local sandstone with very occasional orthostatic stones, but all had collapsed prior to being covered by the growth of peat. Most of the cuttings were 5m wide in order to expose the full width of the collapse. It was the policy not to move or disturb the stones, but to leave them intact as found. It was not therefore possible to see details of construction 1991 The site of the present Visitor Centre and Service Access road. This was a predevelopment excavation. From Dec. 11th until Mar. 22nd 1991 work on the pre development testing of the final building site was undertaken, directed by Byrne. This work was undertaken as a predevelopment excavation and a total area of 762m was excavated in addition to the remnants of a 12.5m length of pre-bog wall (cuttings 10 to 15) which was already
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mostly destroyed by the construction of an old bog access road which had cut through the site from north to south. There were 30 cuttings numbered 1 to 30. Six cuttings along a short wall (Wall 11) which runs in an east west direction to the south of the building area were numbered 11:A to 11:F, following the practice of previous wall exposures in 1990. From Mar. 17th to April 6th twelve students of archaeology from UCD worked for twenty one days. For a period of 5 weeks from July 29th to August 30th 1991, ten people were employed on the completion of the areas already exposed, and on further excavation in the area of the building and access road. From November 12th to 27th, 1991 a watching brief (monitoring) was kept during the mechanical excavation on the site of the building and access road. The only feature of archaeological interest which could be discerned was a concentration of stones on the pre-bog surface. Dunne directed excavations in the car and coach park area to the immediate north of the visitor centre. This included two phases, the first (14th January 29th March) was funded by the Cide Fields Fs programme, with some UCD students supported by OPW funding; the second (12th 29th November) by the OPW. A total of 15 cuttings were designated CP1-15. 1993 In 1993 there were seven further cuttings areas opened which linked in with the previously exposed trenches from 1990. Separate portions of wall were exposed from underneath the peat and all of these were in areas where the peat had already been partly cutaway as turf by the farmers over the years prior to the start of the Cide Fields Project. In this the peat was completely removed by spades down to the wall stones or pre-bog soil and then further cleaned away by trowelling, leaving the pre-bog surface intact. It is important to note that as in previous excavations of the walls, none of the stones were removed or disturbed, leaving the walls in their collapsed state as found. The excavated peat was placed in visually unobtrusive positions, generally against old turf banks, and covered by the excavated scraws in order to merge back into the present peat landscape. Almost all of the 1993 cuttings were either 2m or 2.5m wide, just wide enough to expose the collapsed walls, in contrast to the 1990 excavations, most of which were 5m wide, in order to give an impression of the ground level on either side and to give a more visual impression of the height of the walls. These cuttings continued the numbering system used in 1990 with the Wall number followed by a letter. Three cuttings were excavated on the long parallel wall, Wall 2 (Cuttings 2:F, 2:G and 2:H) and three on the cross wall, Wall 5 (Cuttings 5:E, 5:F and 5:G). These are beside the pathway, along which the guided tours are taken. The last cutting is on the curving Wall 8 (Cutting 8:A), adjacent to the hard surface 'wheelchair' pathway. Further excavation was also undertaken in cuttings 10:B and 7:A, initially uncovered in 1990. See under 1990 section. 1994 In 1994 Dunne directed small scale excavations associated with further work on the drainage of the Cide Fields site in advance of the opening of the visitors centre. The work took place between 26th Feb and 12th March 1994. Only one drain (Drain Type 2) impacted on the archaeological remains, and here this impact was only encountered where the drain cut field walls, in Cuttings A and B. In order to clearly differentiate these cuttings from Byrnes 1989 excavations, these cuttings are here prefixed Drain:A, Drain:B.
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3. Results
3.1 Stratigraphy
The stratigraphic account presented derives closely from the original reports as carried out by the site directors. The account is, however, slightly restructured. Three primary zones of excavation are discussed: the 1989 excavations on the site of the proposed centre, upslope of the modern site; the 1990-1991 excavations in advance of the current centre; and finally a series of cuttings made across field walls in 1990 and 1993 order to facilitate display of these features. The division is one of convenience, particularly in clarifying the relationships between nearly 80 separate cuttings. The location of cuttings is indicated on Figures 3-6. Discussion is presented after a summary of all areas of excavation. A total of 66 feature numbers have been assigned. Numbers 1-24 and 50-65 were assigned in the field. Numbers 24-35, 48-49 and 66-68 were assigned in this analysis in order to discuss the postholes and the plough marks and as reference for the exposed sections of walls. The table in the appendix is an account of the detail as written into the context sheets and the feature list as presented in the site archive at the time of excavation. The numbers are given the prefix F which describes the cut and fill of the feature where applicable. Co-ordinates are given as they appear in the site archive. The technique of excavation was carried out using a single context approach. Dimensions are given where applicable and in some instances numbers are given to natural features where they are found in association with archaeological features. In some instances the features are spreads or layers and are referred to as occupation layers. The spreads contain lithics and traces of pottery rather than being defined with cuts and fills. The descriptions given rely on the information as provided in the site diaries and the various site plans. Not all of the features were excavated and some still remain in situ. Contexts are described as they occur within particular cuttings with the exception of the peat (F1) which generally is recorded as having a depth of 0.3m to 0.9m with uncut banks nearby of up to 2m. F4 was the context number assigned in 1989 to the stone wall that was exposed in the 1989 cuttings D and E. This wall is later identified as Wall 1 for all later cuttings. F49 is given to the natural subsoil.
Zone 1: 1989: excavations on site of proposed centre

As noted above, 12 cuttings A-L were excavated here (Figure 3). Cuttings B, D and E were re-excavated later as part of wall exposures, and are detailed below. As noted above, not all features were excavated fully, and not all of the cuttings were excavated down to the natural. As a consequence, there may very well be archaeological remains still left in situ. At the end of the excavations, the cuttings were backfilled and restored to their original appearance, leaving any unexcavated material still intact.
Cutting A This cutting measures 20m x 2m. After the removal of the peat F1 from the cutting a stone layer was uncovered which comprised in the main of F7 large flat loose stones, irregular in shape and ranging in size from 0.15m to 0.8m in diameter. F2 was a natural brown mineral soil which which is situated under the peat level and above the natural subsoil level F49. The cutting did not expose any section of the enclosing field wall. There was evidence of charcoal flecks at the base of the peat.The appearance of charcoal flecks is a common accurance across the site. This charcoal is located at the base of the peat 0.1m to 0.3m above the natural subsoil. The northern two
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thirds of the cutting was markedly stonefree in contrast to the remainder of the cutting. F17 was also located in cutting A, this was a stonfree soil found underlying F7, the flat stoney mid brown soil layer. Cutting C This trench measured 20m x 2m. The cutting was excavated onto the mineral soil F 49. As in cutting A the southern portion of the trench was naturally very stony and therefore no feature number was allocated to this stony layer at the time of the excavation. These stones ranged in size from 0. 15 m to 0.8 m while the northern one third was markedly more stonefree. A grey brown charcoal spread (F3) was in the northern 2m of the cutting. This layer contained a high degree of charcoal and was sampled (Sample No. E494:S002, E494:S003, E494:S009), flint and chert lithic artefacts were present and F3 on excavation was described as being the habitation layer. A 3m x 2m extension to the west at the northern end of the trench was opened and the F3 layer extended about half way into it. Other deposits appeared in patches F6 is an irregular spread confined to the south end of the cutting C. It extends in isolated pockets and spreads for 7m. F6 is up to 0.04m in depth. Irregular spread F8 extends for 13m on the north section of cutting C. F 6 and F 8 were similar to F7 and F 17 found in cutting A. These silty layers were found to have occassional charcoal flecks in pockets across the cutting. Cutting F and G These are two 2mx2m trenches that were opened between the long trench A and trench C and proved to be fairly sterile. Pieces of possibly worked chert and some charcoal were present, alongside some scattered. Cutting H Cutting H proved the most complex cutting and was extended to a total of 19m. Features of interest include spreads, occupation soils, pits and possible structural evidence. A final plan for this Cutting has not been produced in this phase of analysis. After the removal of the peat (F1) a number of rough flat stones (F18), up to 0.65m in dimensions and between 0.03m and 0.10m thick were revealed, some of which were broken or cracked in situ, although no discernible pattern was evident. Nor did they form an even surface or show any signs of wear. Under and between these stones there was a layer of dark grey brown charcoal rich material (F9) which extended throughout the trench and seems to be similar to F3 in cutting C. Finds from F9 included quartz, a flint flake and a hammerstone. F9 sealed deposits F10 and F11. F10 was a very pebbly soil with occasional charcoal, averaging 2-3cms deep and a maximum depth of 4cms. F11 was located under F10 and was a 0.1 to 0.2 m thick black burnt organic layer in an area 1m x 0.8m which abutted a flat stone to the east. F10 had overlain this stone and completely covered F11. 1m to the south of F10 and F11 a small shallow and very irregular feature (F12) turned out to be a natural root hole. Ash pit F 19 F19, an ash filled pit, is located towards the centre of cutting H 2.5m from the north baulk and 1.5m from the west baulk. F19 was 1.14m x 0.8m in plan and 0.3m deep. It was sealed beneath two larger slabs which were embedded in the F9 layer Underneath those larger slabs were four smaller flat stones embedded in the upper fill of silty charcoal rich ashy material F15. These smaller slab stones measured 0.23m X 0.9m X 0.5m thick; 0.14m X 0.9m X 0.2m thick; 0.15m X 0.1m X 0.2m thick and 0.6m X 0.4m. These stones form part of the fill of F 15. Beneath the F15 layer there was a soft wet yellowy charcoal free ash material F16. Then F21, which was a light grey brown silt found at the northern section of the ash filled pit F19. 1m to the south west of the ash pit F19 there was a small shallow irregular pit F 12. Upon excavation this turned out to be a natural root hole. Shallow Trenches Partially surrounding the ashpit was a shallow trench (F13) forming a 2.4m long arc. This underlay some flat stones including two pieces of the same stone which fitted together 1.8m from the northern baulk and 1.2m from the western baulk of the cutting. At the southern end the trench had a rounded end with sloping sides and narrow base, 0.5m deep. Elsewhere it had steep sides with an irregular shape and depth. It was filled with a dark brown silty soil (F69) at the south end, otherwise a more greeny grey soft silty soil. It contained three tightly packed water rounded stones of different stone types (Figure 7). The trench continued northwards as F20 and F23 with dark grey charcoal rich fill in top overlying the soft wet silty greeny grey soil. Another possible trench F14 was exposed in the south east corner of the extended cutting, a. The trench was 0.5m in width and only .02 m deep. The fill of the trench was a dark charcoal flecked in top and a lighter brown silty soil underneath.
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Stakeholes (F 24 to 28) Five shallow stake holes form an arc from the north west to the south east in a line near the north east corner of cutting H. Although the stake holes were quite shallow the orientation and the pattern suggests they could form some sort of structure. The stake holes were all spaced equally apart at 0.35m and they form a semicircle with the trench F13. The ashpit was located within this semicircle though off centre. At the time of excavation the stake holes were lettered F 24 with the letters A, B, C, D, and E appended to them, these have been renumbered in the current analysis. F24: This stake hole was 0.05 m in diameter with a very shallow depth of 0.04 m. The base was pointed to receive the stake. The sides were vertical. The fill in all the stake holes was dark grey brown silty clay, flecked with charcoal. F25: Similar to F 24 the stake was 0.05 m in diameter with a depth of 0.05 m deep. The sides were vertical. The stake hole had a pointed base to receive the stake. F26: This is a slightly larger stake hole, measuring 0.09m NE SW x 0.06m in diameter and 0.08 m deep. The sides are vertical on the east and south and sloping on the north and west with a long narrow base aligned northeast and southwest. F27: 0.06m in diameter and narrowing to a point 0.08m deep and is leaning slightly northeast. F28: The stake hole is oval, 0.09m NE SW x 0.06m diameter and narrowing to a point 0.09m deep. Cuttings I and J Cutting I and J measured 2 m x 1m and did not reveal anything of archaeological significance.
Cutting K This trench measures 7m x 1m, leaving a 0.5m wide baulk between it and the west side of Cutting H. Excavation was not completed. Under the peat lies an extension of F9 which yielded finds of flint, quartz and pottery. There is a small pit or possible post hole F22 on the east side dissected by the baulk. This had a silty peat in top, overlying a dark brown soil. Cutting L This cutting was laid out at 5m x 3.5m, leaving a 0.5m wide baulk between it and the east side of Cutting H. There was a continuation of the flat stones (F18) and charcoal rich layer (F9) towards the centre of the western side of the cutting but this was not excavated. A piece of wood measuring 0.85m long x 0.03m thick near the SW corner was at first thought to be a stake but on removal was discovered to be a root. The excavation of this cutting was not completed.
Zone 2: Site of current Visitor Centre and associated infrastructure

This section discusses the excavations carried out on the site of the current Visitors Centre. As noted above, Byrnes excavations included 30 cuttings numbered 1 to 30 (Figure 4). Six cuttings along a short wall (Wall 11) which runs in an east west direction to the south of the building area were numbered 11:A to 11:F, following the practice of previous wall exposures in 1990 and these are discussed in the section on Walls, below. Dunnes excavations in the car park opened 20 cuttings (CP1CP20, Figure 5) and two small cuttings in association with improvements to drainage (Dr:A, Dr: B, Figure 6) alongside monitoring of bog road works.
Cutting 1 The cutting measured 10m x 3m. The depth of peat (F1) is from 0.15m at north east corner rising up to 0.7m along the baulk on the eastern side of the cutting. The soil under the peat is very fine textured light brown colour with occasional stones (F2). There is a shallow drainage F 70 channel running along the east edge which is 0.1m deep and up to 0.65m wide with natural iron panning at base. This cutting exposed nothing of archaeological interest. Cutting 2 The cutting measured 15m x 3m. The peat (F1) in this cutting is 0.3 m 0. 45 m in depth. The soil under the peat (F2) is a light brown fine textured pebble free soil, with very occasional stone in the north half. On the natural level
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(F49) of the cutting there are a few scattered stones up to 0.48m in size at the centre. The cutting exposed nothing of archaeological interest. Cutting 3 The cutting measured 15m x 3m. The peat depth is up to 0.2m to 0.4 m. The soil underneath the peat was a light brown pebble free fine textured soil with occasional stones which measured 0.05m -0.15m. The cutting exposed nothing of archaeological interest. Cutting 4 The cutting measured 15m x 3m. The peat depth (F1) is 0.15 m to 0.35 m. The soil layer (F2) under the peat is similar to the soil layer in cutting 3 with inclusions of occasional stones 0.05m - 0.15 m. The cutting exposed nothing of archaeological interest. Cutting 5 The cutting measured 9m x 3m. The peat depth is 0.15m to 0.4m and the sub peat soil is similar to that in cutting 4 with some small pebbles and small stones up to 0.20m. The cutting exposed nothing of archaeological interest
Cutting 6 The cutting measured 10m x 3m upon excavation. The peat (F1) in cutting 6 is 0.2 m 0.4 m in depth. The soil underneath the peat is a light brown fine soil (F2) with some pebbles and quite a few small stones up to 0.20m particularly in the northern half. The cutting exposed nothing of archaeological interest. Cutting 7 The cutting measured 10m x 3m upon excavation. The peat is 0.15 0.5 m deep. The soil is like that in cutting 6 in the western half but is very pebbly in the east half and at the extreme south end where there are numerous pebbles and small stones ranging in size from 0.5 m 0.15 m. The change in soil is quite evident along centre of the cutting. The cutting exposed nothing of archaeological interest. Cutting 8 The cutting measured 10m x 2m upon excavation and was placed parallel to cutting 6 and 7. The peat is from 0.2m 0.35m in depth. The soil is light brown very like the eastern half of 7 with numerous small stones up to 0.15m. The cutting exposed nothing of archaeological interest.
Cutting 9 The cutting measured 10m x 3m upon excavation and was placed parallel to cutting 6, 7 and 8. The peat depth was 0.25m 0.5 m during the time of the excavation. The soil is similar to the soil in cutting 8 but not as stony. There are occasional small stones up to 0.15m and a small amount of gravel and pebbles. Cuttings 10-15 An old bog access roadway running north to south through the site had cut deeply in to the sub peat soil. What appeared to be a section through a wall (Wall 1) had been visible in the soil section along the eastern side of the roadway and six cuttings, (nos. 10 15) alongside the roadway were opened to investigate this. Cutting 10, 11 and 12 revealed the collapse from a stone wall, the core of which would have been along the roadway and was completely removed during the road construction. Some loose stones in the western half of cuttings 13, 14 and 15 were all that remained to the south of cutting 12. All of the collapsed stones in these cuttings were on the pre-bog soil F2 which was mostly a light grey brown, fine textured, stone free soil, although in places it was somewhat pebbly. The wall stones were all a local sandstone and varied in size up to 0.6m. Cutting 10 This cutting was 2.5m x 2.5m. There are numerous stones particularly in the west half of this cutting. The peat depth varies from 0.13 m to 0.38 m. The soil (F2) associated with the stones is very stone free and is a light grey brown fine texture.
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Cutting 11 This cutting was 7.5m x 2.5m. The peat depth was 0.14 m to 0.35m. Wall collapse in the western half of the cutting becomes less numerous in the eastern half. Cutting 12 The cutting was 3m x 2.5m. The peat depth was from 0.18m to 0.4m. There is a small amount of wall collapse in the western part. Cutting 13 Cutting 13 is 2.5m x 2.5m. The peat depth varies from .15m to .35m. Some loose stones on the soil surface in the western part are the remains of the wall. Cutting 14 The cutting measurers 5m x 2.5m. The peat depth varies from 0.25m to 0.5 m. There were a few stones which measure up to 0.45m in dimension in the western part of the cutting. The stones include one flattish slab 0.57 m long and 0. 8m thick and is situated along the western edge into the baulk.
Cutting 15 The cutting measures 5m x 2.5m and. The peat varies in depth from 0.2 m to .45m.There are some loose stones up to 0.32m in dimension resting on the soil surface particularly at the west end and a few smaller stones scattered across in the north part. The soil is a very mottled light grey dark grey and brown soil, almost stone free with occasional stones up to c 0.1m with very few pebbles. Cutting 16 The cutting measures 8m x 5m, the peat depth varies along the baulk from 0.1m at the south west to 0.45m at the north west and 0.6 m in the north east to 0.96 m on the south east side. The sub bog soil is a light brown fine soil with occasional pebbles and occasional small stones up to 0.32m in size. A linear trench feature (F53) similar to that in cutting 18 extended the entire length of the cutting, 8m, from south to north (Figure 9). The trench had a very irregular outline and where excavated had a maximum depth of 0.33m. In the southern half of the cutting this feature appeared very similar to that in cutting 18, forming a very irregular trench in the pre-bog soil, with peat or silty peat in the top (F54). At the southern end a number of root fragments (Sample numbers 42 and 43) were found in this peaty material. Beneath the peat the trench was filled with a silty clay (F55), varying in colour from a grey to grey brown to greeny grey and becoming more sandy towards the base, with the base and sides defined by a solid iron panning. Towards the northern half of the cutting, the trench disappeared but instead, a layer of silty clay (F57) like that in the trench was sandwiched within the peat. The peat under the clay (F58, Samples 44, 45 and 46) became deeper towards the northern baulk, to a maximum of 0.18m, and also the clay layer became more widely spread in a lens shape to a maximum of 2.42m wide and 0.28m deep. As in the trench this lens gradually changed from a fine silty clay in the top to a more sandy clay underneath. At first it seemed like an artificially dug drain or ditch with the up cast visible overlying peat at the north end. However, it appears to be a natural stream channel eroded through the soil at the south end and filled with silty clay, becoming sandier towards the base. Cutting 17 Cutting 17 measured 8m x 3m. The peat depth is from 0.05m in the north where there was very little original peat cover, to 0.34m. The soil is a light brown fine textured soil with only occasional pebbles and very occasional stones up to 0.55m. Nothing of archaeological interest was recovered from this trench. Cutting 18 The cutting measured 12m x 3m. The peat cover varied from 0.12m to 0.3m in depth. The soil was light brown material some stones from 0.05m to 0.2m in size. A trench (F50) of very irregular outline and depth was uncovered in this cutting (Figure 10). It was a narrow feature extending in a meandering fashion from the western baulk close to the south end, to the northeast corner where it faded out, a total distance of 10m. At the south end
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there was an extension with a maximum depth of 0.18m, from the main trench southeast for 1.3m. The trench varied in width from 35 - 95cm and in depth from 5 - 35cm beneath the pre-bog soil surface, sometimes with a gradual edge and sometimes quite steep sides and it also had a very uneven base. The top of the trench was mainly filled with peat or silty peat (F51), but had a gravelly silt at the northern end and occasionally elsewhere. Beneath this there was a silty clay (F52) ranging from a brown to a greeny grey colour, and in almost all the excavated portions, the trench extended down to the solid iron pan which is very pronounced over the entire area. In places however this iron pan also partly extended up the sides of the trench. When these features, (F50 and F53) in both cuttings 18 and 16, were first exposed it was thought that they were an artificial construction. However, various reasons would suggest that it is more likely to be a natural drainage channel or stream bed; the entire length of the trench was extremely irregular in both width and depth; there was no evidence of upcast from the trench; there were no artefacts or charcoal within the fill, or associated artificial features; the trench seemed to be entirely naturally silted up with the heavier sandy material sinking to the base, lighter silt above this and finally a silty peat and peat growing over. The pre-bog ground level slopes downwards from south to north quite steeply in cutting 18 and less steeply in cutting 16, where it would appear that the peat had already begun to grow and as the stream extended onto the peat it eroded a channel through the peat as through the soil upslope. The stream eventually became silted up and completely covered beneath the growing peat. Cutting 19 This cutting is notable for the presence of plough marks, the only location where these were identified. The cutting measured 12m x 3m. The peat depth is mostly 0.1m to 0.25m with some original peat cover in all but the extreme north east corner. The soil is a very light grey brown fine soil with only v. occasional pebbles and some small stones up to 0.22m in size. A series of ploughmarks (F29 F35 and F59) showed up as dark peaty narrow bands (Figure 11). The plough marks are individually numbered and the dimensions are given in the context table in the appendix. These ploughmarks varied in width from 0.02m up to 0.1m and were up to 1.6m in unbroken length, and were between 0.01m and 0.035m deep. Some sections through the ploughmarks were drawn and indicate the variety of profile shape evident, with some being almost semicircular shaped and others having one steep and one more gradually sloping side. They were filled with peat, which sometimes merged to a peaty soil or dark brown clay soil towards the bottom and sides. Three samples were taken (Samples 47, 48 and 49). Most run in a roughly north-south direction, while a couple show cross ploughing in a roughly east-west direction, and a third group is aligned northwest-southeast. The ground here slopes slightly downwards from south to north. Cutting 20 The cutting measured 10m x 2m. The depth of peat varies from 0.2cm at the north end to 0.45m at the south. The soil is was stony with numerous pebbles in grey brown matrix and frequent stones up to 0.60m. There was nothing of archaeological significance in this cutting. Cutting 21 The cutting measured 15m x 3m. The peat level is at a depth of 0.15m at the north to 0.45 to the south. The soil is a very mottled brown and grey very stony with numerous pebbles and occasional larger stones, including one granite erratic up to 1m in diameter. A stone ard tip (E494:168) was found just resting on the soil surface by the east baulk, 12m southwest of the ploughmarks in cutting 19. There were no associated features with it. Cutting 22 The cutting measured 15m x 3m. The peat layer varies in depth from 0.12m at the north end and 0.65m at the south end. The southern end of the cutting was very stony particularly in the western half which has numerous pebbles and small stones giving an almost cobbled effect. A group of 10 larger stones up to 0.45m in size rest on the soil surface in the south east corner but do not form a definite pattern. There are occasional larger stones up to 0.54m scattered in the rest of the cutting and several stones measuring up to 0.15m in a mottled brown coloured soil. Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from this trench. Cutting 23 The cutting measured 2m x 3m. The peat is from 0.1m in south east and rising up to 0.35 m in the south west. The soil is a grey brown very pebbly soil with occasional stones up to 0.62m in size. There are very little of the original peat growth left with a modern drain, very shallow and irregular running from the south east corner to midway along the north baulk. Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from this trench.
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Cutting 24 The cutting measured 5m x 4m. The peat is 0.35 m in depth. The soil is a grey brown v. pebbly soil with occasional stones up to 0.74m in size. Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from this trench. Cutting 25 This cutting includes structural evidence (Figure 12). It is an irregular shaped cutting that was extended once archaeological features became evident, 6m (extended by 2m) x 4.5m to 6m. Initially there was a concentration of charcoal in the pre-bog soil surface observed in the roadside section near the disturbed area of Wall 4 and a small cutting was cleared of the overlying rubble upcast from the roadway and peat to investigate the area. A lot of stones, (F60) all of local sandstone, including many flattish slabs up to 0.7m in dimensions were scattered loosely in the cutting. There were two concentrations, in one area by the roadway at the east side and a second by the west baulk, with others scattered through the area, but there was a largely stonefree area, approximately 2.5m in diameter, in the centre of the cutting. A partly decayed root, 1.3m long, was found close to the west baulk under some stones and on top of others. Within this stonefree (F 64) area but also extending beneath most of the stones, was a layer of grey or grey brown fine soil (F56) containing a high concentration of charcoal. This was up to a maximum of 0.2m deep near the eastern road cut and elsewhere it was about 0.1m deep. Outside the area of charcoal soil, there were a lot of charcoal flecks within the natural light brown clay soil. A single small posthole (F61), with a semicircular shaped opening, 0.15m x 0.1m and 0.15m deep, with gradually sloping sides and a narrow base, was found cut through the natural subsoil beneath the charcoal layer. The fill (F62) of the posthole was a medium grey brown, fine, slightly silty soil with occasional charcoal flecks. A thin upright stone in the south side of the hole was probably a packing stone, and it was wedged tightly into the natural soil. A total of 82 lithic finds, including flint, chert, quartz and hammerstones as well as a small quantity of poorly preserved pottery were found, most within the grey charcoal layer (F56). Although no definite structure could be deduced from the site remain there may have been some light structure, possibly a tent - like shelter held in place by the stones, which would leave little trace behind. The stonefree area F64 in the centre could have been the interior of the structure, however there were very few finds within this area and the charcoal rich layer extended beyond this without interruption. The stones could either have been used as some sort of wall support or foundation F 65 which was subsequently disturbed - they did not form any definite pattern when exposed from under the peat, but were all either thrown together or scattered in a very haphazard fashion. The charcoal rich soil F56 also extended between and underneath the stones, and many of the finds, including some pottery, were found underneath the stones, indicating movement of the stones subsequent to the domestic activity. This structure is discussed in detail below, but is very closely paralleled by a recent structure discovered at Belderrig (GW) and seems likely to be a building of some kind. Cutting 26 This is a rectangular cutting 5m x 3m. The peat in the cutting was 0.3m to 0.5 m in depth. The soil under the peat is light brown clay. There are some small loose stones up to 0.3m in size. Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from this trench. Cutting 27 This is a rectangular cutting 5m x 3m. The peat in the cutting was 0.3m to 0.45 m in depth. The soil under the peat is light brown clay but with more stone than Cutting 26. There are some small loose stones up to 0.3m in size. Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from this trench. Cutting 28 This is a rectangular cutting 5m x 3m. The peat in the cutting was 0.2m to 0.45 m in depth. The soil under the peat is light brown clay with very occasional stones up to 0.25m in size. Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from this trench. Cutting 29 A previously unknown wall (Wall 12) running northwest to southeast was uncovered in this 7m x 3m cutting and this was shown by the use of probing to extend for a further 20m southeastwards from the cutting. This may originally have joined with Wall 11 but this could not be established for definite by probing and it may have been robbed out in modern times in the intervening area. The exposed portion of the wall shows a substantial but collapsed stone wall built from the local sandstone on the pre-bog soil surface which consisted of a light brown clay soil. Although in an area of relatively shallow cutaway peat, varying from 0.3m 0.75m deep, the wall was
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not evident before excavation. The present maximum height of the wall above the ground surface is 0.6m but before collapse of course would have been much higher. Some very large stones, up to 1.05m in dimensions, were used in the wall but very few small stones, of less than 0.2m were evident. This wall lies just to the south of the new access road for the building. After being recorded, the stones were left in situ and the cutting was covered by polythene and backfilled with the peat originally removed, to prevent any disturbance during construction work on site. Cutting 30 This cutting is 4m x 3m. The peat is 0.25m 0.4m deep. A light brown clay underlies this peat. Some loosely scattered stones up to 0.6m in size on the soil surface may be part of collapse from Wall 12 uncovered in cutting 29. They are concentrated in the south east quadrant with a few extending towards the north east corner. A flint flake (E494:137) was found on the soil surface amongst these stones.
Car Park Cuttings (Dir. N Dunne)

Individual cuttings are detailed here, with synthesis of their findings below. CP1 15x5m. Stony pre-bog land surface with no evidence of archaeological features CP2 10x3m. Stony pre-bog land surface with no evidence of archaeological features. Cow horn recovered from lowest levels of blanket bog, and below levels of turf cutting. CP3 10x3m. Stony pre-bog land surface with no evidence of archaeological features CP4 15x5m. Stony pre-bog land surface with no evidence of archaeological features. Modern pit excavated to provide foundations for stay of telephone pole. CP5 10x3m. Pre-bog surface quite stony, slight terrace with break in slope on downhill side may represent lynchet. CP6 13 x 5m. Pre-bog wall, with collapse mainly on downhill side (see also CP8, CP9 and below for discussion) CP7 15x5m. Pre-bog land surface notably devoid of stone which may indicate land clearance and cultivation. CP8 10x3m. Pre-bog wall, with collapse mainly on downhill side (see also CP6, CP9 and below for discussion). Soil accumulation on upslope of wall. SW end notably stone free possible tillage plot with CP7, CP9? CP9 10x3m. Pre-bog wall, with collapse mainly on downhill side (see also CP6, CP8 and below for discussion). Soil accumulation on upslope of wall. SW end notably stone free possible tillage plot with CP7, CP8? CP10 15x5m. Stony pre-bog land surface with no evidence of archaeological features CP11 10x3m. Stony pre-bog land surface with no evidence of archaeological features CP12 10x3m. Stony pre-bog land surface with no evidence of archaeological features
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CP13 15x3m. Stony pre-bog land surface with no evidence of archaeological features CP14 9x3m. Pre-bog wall (see below) CP15 Irregular shape, 103m2 in area. Pre-bog wall (see below) CP16 15x3m. Light scatter of stone throughout cutting, possibly indicating some clearance? CP17 12x3m. Fairly stone free, but with dense stone cover in SE and a band of medium density stone across the centre.
CP18 7x3m. Light scatter of stone throughout cutting but with dense stone cover in SE. CP19 12x3m. Dense stone cover on pre-bog surface. CP20 15 x 3m. NW and SE are stone free, which may indicae clearance. Band of stone across centre of cutting is not robbed out wall. The wall identified in CP6, 8, 9 appears to have been of substantial size (see Figure 13 for overview of this area). The main core of collapse varies from 1.65m-2.35m and the wall includes deliberate facing stones, often slanted because of the pressure of downslope collapse. This wall may have been associated with tillage, with a possible lynchet and stone free area upslope. The wall identified in CP14 and 15 was associated with three archaeological layers. At base, a pre-bog mineral soil with the wall constructed on its surface. Above this, a surviving base of blanket bog or regrowth of same following peat cutting. And overlying this, mineral soil and stone upcast from an adjacent quarry. The wall was substantial, but had collapsed badly. A small section of the wall (6m length) was completely removed, this section was 2.50-4.50m wide and varied between 0.20-0.60m high. Once tumble was removed, the wall base was 1.051.75m, although the latter measurement is noted as being exaggerated due to displacement caused by downslope pressure. A possible gap in the wall cannot be dated but is likely to be prehistoric. Dunne noted that the basal courses of this drystone wall were not constructed with the largest stones, but with a variety of sizes, including very small stones. A possible paved area, comprising six slabs, was identified SE of the wall. A possible cist was noted within the body of the wall at the NE of Cutting 15, so was either constructed as part of/with the wall, or may have been an existing feature that was incorporated as the wall was being constructed. The cist was full of slushy bog and as modern delphware was recovered on the surface of the mineral soil here it is possible that the original contents have been disturbed.
Site Drainage
Cutting Dr:A This cutting focused on an area of wall already exposed in 1993 (see also Wall Cutting 1:E). Here the path of the drain encountered a sub-bog stone wall in a collapsed state. A small section of the wall was removed to allow the path of the drain, and the wall subsequently reconstructed. This cutting uncovered no evidence of buried soils beneath the wall, which appeared to be located directly onto natural soils.
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Cutting Dr:B The NE part of this cutting had been previously excavated as part of excavations on site (Wall Cutting 11:D). Excavations here uncovered a scatter of small stones (5-30cm) resting on mineral soil which are interpreted as the remains of largely robbed out cross wall.
Zone 3: Walls
12 walls were exposed at varied stages in the Visitor Centre excavations, with a total of 45 cuttings used. In most cases these simply exposed the walls, rather than providing a full excavation. Descriptions are given to the walls as they appear in the site archive, and are presented below. As noted above, cuttings were initially identified by Wall number and a letter (i.e. 1A, 1B etc). The walls are all constructed of local sandstone.
Wall 1 Wall 1 runs up the hill N/S direction. 10 cuttings were opened to expose the line of the wall. The cuttings were lettered 1A which is a large cutting exposing the junction of the wall between wall 1 and wall 5. Cutting 1B is situated to the south of cutting 1A while 1C - 1G are located to the north of cutting 1A. Three further cuttings marked on the main site plan but not lettered were cuttings that were opened in the 1970's and relate to the excavations of the Glenulra enclosure. These cuttings lie outside the Cide development in the Behy townland.
Wall 2 Wall 2 runs in a N/S direction parallel to wall 1. There were eight cuttings placed along the wall. These cuttings were lettered 2:A to 2:H. Detailed descriptions of 2:F, 2:G and 2:H are provided here as these show that the construction varies, and sometimes includes unusual features. 2F: This exposed a 17m length of straight wall linking two of the 1990 cuttings (2:D and 2:E). The unexcavated gaps are left where drains, put in during the pathway construction, cross the wall. The peat was quite shallow in this area, averaging 0.5m deep, and the wall was generally narrow although much collapsed and less substantial than some other walls. In the northern 6m of wall (F 37) there were frequent upright blocks along the centre of the wall, some collapsed. The most northerly stone was 0.85m high, but fallen to the west, and approximately 0.45m long. The next stone measured 0.7m high, 0.6m long and 0.2m thick, and both were aligned with the wall. A number of other stones in this area were around 0.5m 0.6m high and 0.25m 0.3m thick blocks with relatively few smaller stones. The remainder of the wall had smaller stones as well as the larger blocks and some thinner slabs, either upright or collapsed. Generally the majority of stones were 0.2m 0.5m in dimension with some larger blocks also. This cutting was not completely trowelled clean of the peat. 2:G This cutting exposed a 22m length of less regular, slightly curving wall from under peat varying from 0.4m 0.7 m deep (Figure 14). In the northern 5m length of wall the stones were very collapsed and spread out, giving a maximum height of 0.5m to the wall, although generally much lower. Here it mostly comprised blocks between 0.2 0.5m in size but also a number of smaller stones and some thin slabs. Centred on an area 7m from the northern end of the cutting there was an unusual feature in the wall (F48), consisting of a large concentration of stones in an area 2.5m long and up to 0.6m high and extending into the eastern baulk of the cutting which was 2.5m wide at this point. Probing shows that this does not extend more than 1m beyond the eastern baulk so cannot be a separate wall joining the main parallel wall. This was much more substantial than a collapse from the wall and had the appearance of being deliberately, although haphazardly, built up against the wall. There was a 'hollow' in the stones close to the east baulk, which at first was thought to be a cist-like structure. However, on excavation this did not appear to be the case as there was no regular building forming either a floor or sides. There were some large slabs surrounding it, the largest leaning against it on the south side was 0.85m by 0.55m and 0.07m thick and most other stones around the hollow were between 0.5m 0.85m in maximum dimensions. The 'hollow' of the feature was mainly filled with peat, and in the base and there was a grey silty sand with small flecks of charcoal. The function of this feature is unclear but the field wall on either side, and particularly on the north, is very poorly preserved, suggesting perhaps that the stones were robbed from the wall in order to build this feature. Some parallels may link this and the unusual structure within the Glenulra Enclosure. South of this feature, towards the angle in the cutting the wall is very collapsed and scattered and there is a complete 'gap' in the wall just north of the angle, about 1m long. There is no evidence, however that this was an original construction feature of the wall.
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Between that and the south end of the cutting the wall is very substantial, up to 0.6m high, and contains a number of larger stone blocks up to 0.7m in maximum dimensions, with stones smaller than 0.2m very rare. Immediately south of the cutting there is a further 'gap' in the wall, as found by probing. 2:H This was a 3.5m long cutting exposing the wall where it extends into the 1.5m high old turf bank at the south end of the site. Here the wall is quite substantial, though collapsed, surviving up to a height of 0.6m. The majority of the stones are between 0.2m 0.6m in maximum dimensions and it includes a number of slabs placed transversely to the direction of the wall.Wall 3 There were 4 cuttings opened along this wall Wall 4 This wall runs in a N/S direction, with 1 cutting excavated Wall 5 Wall 5 is a cross-wall linking walls 1 and 2 to the south of the Glenulra Enclosure and the possible habitation site in Cutting H. It runs in an E/W direction for a total of c. 110m. There are seven cuttings placed along this wall including two (5:A and 5:D) examining a possible animal pen (F67) located to south of Wall 5 near its western junction with Wall 1. Cutting 5 B is a square cutting located to the centre of wall 5. 5 C is a rectangular cutting which is positioned to the east of the junction between wall 2 and this wall 5. 5D is an opening to the east of cutting 5 A exposing the eastern part of the animal pen. 5 E is situated to the west of 5B. 5F is a small cutting exposing the wall to the west of cutting 5C while 5G is tagged onto the west end of cutting 5C. Possible Animal Pen: Cutting 5:A was laid out across a portion of what was thought to be just a straight section of Wall 5. This section of the wall was allocated the number F5 at the time of the 1989 excavations. This was incorporating the 2.5m wide cutting B from the 1989 excavation. It was extended when there appeared to be a junction of a second wall. An uncut bank of peat 1.6m high and between 1.5m to 2.5m wide was located to the east of the cutting so a second cutting 5:D was opened to the east of the bank, leaving the turf bank in situ. A small egg-shaped stone walled structure, as it was referred to at the time, was discovered to have been built onto the southern side of the straight wall 5 (Figure 15). It measured 7m long and 4m wide at the almost straight wider western end. At the eastern end in cutting 5:D it was a more curved shape just 2m wide. The western side is formed by the collapsed wall 5, while the remainder of the enclosure consists of a less substantial wall, but also collapsed. There is a narrow gap in the field wall 5 on either side of the enclosure so perhaps the field wall was robbed of stone to build the enclosure (F68). Although there is no apparent entrance in the enclosure it is possible the unexcavated peat bank which covers the eastern part of the structure conceals one. As elsewhere with the walls the stones were not disturbed but no evidence of a hearth or other features were found within the excavated part of the interior. Apart from one piece of struck flint and a couple of pieces of possibly struck quartz and chert there was no evidence of occupational debris within the enclosure. Given the lack of evidence for domestic activity it was postulated that this enclosure might have been used as an animal pen. 5:E This cutting was located in a space between two old turf banks, up to 1.75m high, where the surface scraw was already removed or eroded by tractor traffic. It exposed part of a cross wall (F 40), averaging 2.75m long, which was quite collapsed and spread out, with a maximum height of 0.5m. There were some stone blocks in the base of the wall, set upright transversely to the wall, the largest measuring 0.5m by 0.24m and 0. 5m high. 5:F This very short cutting was excavated in the space between a drain from the pathway and a 1.7m high turf bank at the west side to display the wall extending under deep peat. The wall however was not particularly substantial in this place. 5:G The wall was much better preserved here than in Cutting 5:F. This was a 4m long extension to a 1990 cutting, in the cutaway peat which was only 0.4m 0.5m in depth. Here the wall was quite substantial, and had a maximum height of 0.8m. The original edge of the wall, with some thick blocks up to 0.4m high, was discernible on the south side of the wall. There were also some upright stones, up to 0.75m high, in the wall which had collapsed towards the north, following the slope of the ground. The majority of the stones in the wall were between 0.25m and 0.8m in maximum dimensions with very few smaller stones. A struck quartz flake, (E494:208), was found on the soil surface to the north of the wall collapse.
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Wall 6 This is a cross-wall linking Walls 1 and 2 and measures c120m and it is located to the north of the Glenulra enclosure. There were 3 cuttings placed along the wall. Wall 7 This wall is a short wall which runs in an E/W direction for c80m. About half way along its length it is linked to curving wall 8 which forms an irregular enclosure at the downslope end of the field. Two cuttings 7:A and 7:B were placed along the wall. 7:B focused on the junction of walls 7 and 8. Cutting 7:A demonstrated a build up of fine lynchet soil evident against the southern side of the wall. The relationship between the walls is unclear as the area of the stones was not fully excavated. The collapsed stones at the junction remain in situ. There had already been six small flint chips and a small chert flake found in the surface of this soil in 1990. During the 1993 excavation it was noticed that some of this unexcavated soil had been eroded in the intervening time, revealing a number of scattered finds. The finds included a rounded scraper of chert, (E494:185), and three chert flakes with possible signs of wear. Some quartz pieces were also uncovered, including a thick flake with possible wear and very slight burnishing at the pointed end, (E494:190), a smaller rectangular flake with possible worn sides, (E494:191), and six smaller pieces, some of which may be waste flakes. There was just one small chip of flint to add to those already found. All of these had probably originally been washed down slope during the formation of the lynchet and may be an indication of activity or habitation between this area and Wall 8 further upslope. On the north side of the wall a large quartz flake was also found on the eroded pre-bog surface. This was a rectangular shaped and triangular sectioned flake, worn on one side and the distal sharp edge, (E494:193), and was probably a scraper. It may be important to note that this lynchet has formed downslope of Wall 8 rather than in the larger enclosure defined by walls 2, 3 7 and 9 but Cutting 7:B suggested a minor lynchet to the east of the wall junction. The relationship of wall 7 and 8 in this trench was not clear, but one should recall that no excavation beyond exposure was undertaken in this location. Wall 8 This is a slightly curving wall joining wall 2 and wall 7 and forming a small enclosure. The curving wall measures c 80m. Cutting 8:A measures 5m long and was excavated on this curving wall close to the junction with the parallel Wall 2. The depth of peat is between 0.4m and 0.65m. The wall was quite well preserved, being up to 0.6m high and contained a couple of upright stone blocks at the eastern end, the highest 0.6m. Some other stones at the western end may also be collapsed uprights, but most of the stones were between 0.3m and 0.6m in maximum dimensions. Wall 9 This is a cross-wall linking walls 2 and 3 and measures c120m. Cutting 9 A and 9 B are placed on the north western part of wall 9 and cuttings 9 C and D are placed along the south eastern line of the wall. Wall 10 This wall is a long crosswall seeming to link walls 3 and 4 and possibly extending further to the east. There are 3 cuttings placed along the wall - 10 A, 10 B and 10 C. Cutting 10 A is to the north west of the long parallel wall 3, while cuttings 10 B and 10 C are also to the north west of cutting 10 A. Cutting 10:B proved to be an interesting cutting where the wall was found to be exceptionally well preserved and substantial, being between 1m and 1.3m wide and up to 0.9m high. It contained some large stones, up to 0.85m but most were between 0.25m and 0.7m in maximum dimensions. An unusual feature of the wall was that although there was some collapse on the northern side there were very few stones fallen from the southern side of the wall. Two other cuttings on this wall, including 10: A which was located only 5m to the west of this one, and 10:C, revealed the wall collapsed to both sides as in other excavated walls on the site. Beside this southern side in 10:B there was a huge concentration of charcoal, most likely indicating the presence of hearths. Flint knapping also been carried out at this location, as evidenced by a total of 90 pieces of flint found scattered through the charcoal soil. These were mainly the waste pieces from fine flint working, comprising sixty seven very small chips and fourteen small flakes. There were also eight larger flakes, a couple of which had very slight secondary working or wear marks. There was only one recognisable implement - a finely worked sub-rectangular shaped scraper, (E494:195). The only non flint object located in this cutting was a large quartz flake with slight burnishing on two faces towards the distal point, (E494:194).
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Wall 11 This was a short length of wall measuring c 25m running in an E/W direction. Placed along the wall were 3 cuttings. Wall 12 As discussed in cutting 29 a previously unknown pre-bog wall (Wall 12) was uncovered at the west end of the site and this was shown by probing to extend a total distance of 20m south-eastwards. This may originally have joined with Wall 11 but this could not be established for definite by probing and it may have been robbed out in modern times in the intervening area. The exposed portion of the wall shows a substantial but collapsed stone wall F 47 is built from the local sandstone on the pre-bog soil surface which consisted of a light brown clay soil F2. Although in an area of relatively shallow cutaway peat, varying from 0.3m 0.75m deep, the wall was not evident before excavation. The present maximum height of the wall above the ground surface is 0.6 m but before collapse of course would have been much higher. Some very large stones, up to 1.5m in dimensions, were used in the wall but very few small stones, of less than 0.2m were evident. This wall lies just to the south of the new access road for the building. After being recorded, the stones were left in situ and the cutting was covered by polythene and backfilled with the peat originally removed, to prevent any disturbance during construction work on site.
3.2 Results: Artefacts

The finds assemblage comprised some 364 artefacts, recovered over the various excavation seasons. Gretta Byrne presented a summary account of these artefacts in her last report, and this is presented here as an Appendix with this section proiding a general overview of the assemblage. Byrne had noted that the excavation of Cutting 7A had revealed the build up of soil wash sediments against the south side of the field wall, which contained a small number of artefacts. Whilst the recovery of a convex scraper and three flakes (all chert), and some possible quartz debitage, was not taken to indicate activity in the immediate vicinity of the field wall, Byrne did suggest that the finds may be representative of activity further upslope between trench 7A and Field wall 8. Trench 25 saw the most artefacts recovered during the excavations. Flint working was represented by 45 pieces of debitage, 9 flakes, and 2 convex scrapers; chert was represented by 2 flakes, 1 convex scraper and 1 concave scraper. Some 15 quartz flakes were also recovered from the trench, some of which Byrne identified as possible tools such as scrapers, although further specialist work may be needed to confirm. It was the recovery of some 38 sherds of degraded pottery (all containing numerous quartz inclusions) from Trench 25 that proved most interesting, especially with the proximity of the Glenulra enclosure and its associated ceramic assemblage. However, the ceramic material recovered from Trench 25 is more comparable to the thin walled, quartz rich bowl ceramic types recovered at Belderg Beg (E109) than to the coarsewares represented at Glenulra enclosure. DMI would suggest that the Trench 25 pottery may be earlier in date than the largely Middle Neolithic assemblage noted for the majority of the Cide excavations (Byrne see Appendix), although no definite carinated pieces have been identified in the assemblage. A mudstone polished stone axe/adze butt was recovered from Trench 21. Initially identified by Byrne as a possible ard share this artefact has been broken and subsequently flaked. Trench H saw the recovery of 18 flint flakes, 1 flint point and 1 flint scraper. Only three chert flakes were recovered, but 26 quartz flakes and 11 possible
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hammerstones. Out of the recovered assemblage across the excavations, some 181 pieces of flint were recovered, against 21 pieces of chert. Only two concave scrapers were recovered across the site, both made from chert.
3.3 Results: Samples

There are 50 samples recovered from the various seasons of the Cide excavations (see Appendix X), although one sample is recorded in the original archive as being discarded (91E494:S050). Seven other samples were not included in the archive deposited with the current report writers. The majority of those accounted for samples (42) consist of charcoal samples (18) or charcoal rich soil samples (10), although those that are noted as charcoal samples consist of pre processed material, with any flot discarded after processing. However, both the soil samples (which would seem to be mostly dessicated) and processed charcoal samples, are in a fair state of preservation and as such do not require any further work. Four samples of peat were recovered from the excavations, although they may need specialist analysis to determine the viability of the sample, for conservation, or for further work. In terms of further work, the two seed samples (91E494:S040, 91E494:S041) taken from the occupation layer of F56 (Cut 25) may represent the most viable samples for further dating of that area, and may provide some additional palaeo environmental information from this area. Similarly, four bags of charcoal from the sample 90E494:S035 remain in an unprocessed state and have the potential for processing for palaeo environmental evidence, entomological analysis and comparative dating with samples already processed. The charcoal that was sent to Donal Synnot (E494, sample 35) was from cutting 10: B. The sample is a large amount of charcoal found south of the wall on the soil surface. No feature number is given to this soil sample. This sample has been identified to a species level as follows: hazel 60%, willow 25%, alder 10%, holly 3% and oak 2%.
3.4 Results: Dating

A total of 6 dates have been obtained through analysis undertaken by Edward McGee from the Department of Experimental Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Dates were obtained 17-28 June 2002. All dates were obtained on bulk samples and individual species identifications are not available. One further date was obtained by Mollloy and OConnell (1995) on a sample from a plough mark in Cutting 19 although Byrne feels that there is a problem with potential contamination in obtaining a sample from a feature that had been left open for some time after the end of the excavation although these dates are broadly contemporary with Verrills argument for Iron Age cultivation at Belderg Beg (Verrill 2006)
Cal Date (2 sigma)
Lab Number UCD-0267 UCD-0272 UCD-0268
Sample No
Context
Cutting 10 B 10 B 25
Error
C14 3840 3835 3660
50 50 50
2470-2140 cal BC 2470-2140 cal BC 2200-1890 cal BC
35A 35B 37
Hearth Hearth F56: Charcoal layer site of Building
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Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report UCD-0271 UCD-0270 UCD-0269 GrN-20032 25 H H 19 3800 3650 3600 2390 50 50 50 40 2460-2040 cal BC 2200-1890 cal BC 2140-1770 cal BC 750-380 cal BC 38 11 21 F56: Charcoal layer site of Building F9: charcoal spread F9: charcoal spread Plough mark
Table 1: radiocarbon dates from the Cide Visitor Centre excavations
These dates are discussed below as part of the broader discussions of individual features.
4. Discussion
Excavations in advance of the construction of the visitor centre at Cide led to a large number of small trenches being opened. Many of these revealed walls of the field system. The aim of these excavations was simply to expose these remains, but not examine them in detail. A smaller number of cuttings found archaeological remains of varied kinds. These are discussed here, before a broader contextualisation is offered below. It is important to keep in mind that the excavations at the Cide site were development led and the excavations did not focus on known monuments like the excavations on the Glenulra enclosure, therefore the discussions are reliant on partially excavated features and more ephemeral chance finds. Perhaps more than any section of discussion, the phasing of activity at Cide requires more analysis. Most trenches revealed limited stratigraphic sequences, and very few features have been radiocarbon dated. The radiocarbon dates are surprisingly young, and taken on face value, would seem to indicate substantial activity in the Early Bronze Age. The lithics and ceramics are mainly of limited diagnostic value. The discussion of the site can only be completed when all specialist work is complete, but some overview and comparison can be offered at this stage. Here we examine walls, structures and occupation deposits, and evidence of ploughing and cultivation.
4.1 Walls
The discussion of any excavation at Cide must begin with the stone walls for which the region is famous. In many instances, excavation of the walls was only partial: it being the policy not to move or disturb the stones, but to leave them intact as found. It was not therefore possible to see details of construction. The walls are generally consistently variable: constructed of local sandstone of variable size and shape, and in some places well preserved in other places more fragmentary. The walls appear to have acted as a focal point for different kinds of activity: an unusual possible cellular structure in Cutting 2:G, a small enclosure, presumably for animals on Wall 5. A formal area of wall 10 may have been a focus for activity or, possibly, part of a structure (see below). Parallels for these structures can be found elsewhere within the broader North Mayo landscape: perhaps most notably at Glenulra Enclosure where a small cell may have had some kind of corbelled roof. Small D-shaped cairns were identified abutting the walls in Warrens excavations at Belderrig (Belderg More).
4.2 Structures and occupation

Structural evidence was recovered from two main areas, Cutting H and Cutting 25, and other focal points of occupation are demonstrated by a sequence of spreads and related deposits.
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Cutting H revealed a complex suite of features with deposits extending into Cuttings K and L. Five stakeholes formed a semicircle with the trench F13, 0.15m 0.35m wide and 2.4m long. This was partly covered by stone slabs and contained three tightly packed water rounded stones. Within the semicircle there was a pit 0.3m deep filled with ash and some charcoal and covered by two thin flat stone slabs F19. In the southeast corner of cutting H another linear feature F 14 extends into the baulks. A number of other features were also exposed in this area. A patch of redeposit mineral soil, F10 covered an area approximately 1m x 0.8m which overlay a layer of burnt organic material F11. The charcoal rich layer F9 and a placement of broken slabs (F18) overlay and extended beyond all these features. F9 and F18 extended into Cuttings K and L. It was the view of the excavator at the time that the features were similar to some of the features as found at Ballyglass (Byrne pers comm.) At the Ballyglass site 6km to the east of the Cide fields excavations carried out by Nuallin on the smaller court tomb at Ballyglass between 1968 and 1972 revealed the filled in trenches of a sub rectangular hut site ( Nuallin 1998, 7) which offers a broad structural parallel. However, this area has not been fully excavated and it is not possible as yet to offer a realistic interpretation of these features. However, it is likely that there was some sort of structure with occupation here. Two radiocarbon dates from samples 11 and 21 were obtained from Cutting H. UCD269 and UCD-270 both suggest activity c. 2200 1800 cal BC, but until more data is available about these samples it is hard to understand these dates properly. The trenches here incorporated water rolled stones which may have been used as packing stones. It is curious however that the inhabitants would have used water rolled stones where there were more readily stones at hand: and whilst the shore is not far horizontally, the cliffs make access difficult. The reason for this remains unclear, but there are other examples where this has happened - the Neolithic House in the Ballyharry townland, Co Antrim for example was a structure that comprised of slot trenches with stone packing, primarily rounded water rolled stones. This finding was unusual since plenty of weathered basalt was available from the immediate vicinity of the site (Moore, 2003, 157). Cutting 25 included considerable evidence for domestic activity, with a probable structure defined by stone footings and a posthole. This was obviously an area of domestic activity; the concentration of occupation type soil and charcoal indicated fires, although there was no actual hearth; some of the pottery was probably broken and crushed in situ; there were several waste flakes of both flint and quartz and forty six tiny flint chips indicating the manufacturing of implements on the spot; a number of water rounded stones, most of which were used as hammerstones were also found here. No animal bones were found but the very acidic nature of the peat however would have destroyed any if present. No definite structure could be deduced from the site remains at the time. The overall shape of the feature appears irregular, but is very closely matched by a recently excavated structure at Belderrig, which facilitates interpretation here. At Belderrig a small D-shaped stone foundation with a porch on one side was found in association with an extensive occupation soil. At Cide the porch is arguably also present, near the post hole and a comparison of the ground plans of the two structures demonstrates that they are almost identical, albeit oriented differently. This suggests that the Cide structure is a stone defined sub-square/round building with an open area of a approximately 3m width. A porch or annex, about 1m by 1m, lies to the east. An extensive occupation soil found is in
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and near this structure although finds are rare in the open area in the middle. Finds are made under the stone footings of the wall, suggesting some complexit Two radiocarbon dates have been obtained from F56, providing a date for activity in the area, and, strictly, a terminus ante quem for the structure. These dates are surprisingly late: 2200-1890 cal BC (UCD-0268) and 2460-2040 cal BC (UCD-0271). No date is available for the Belderrig structure, but it is located near a small hearth that dates to 2620 2475 cal BC (UBA-10268, 4031/31) and may therefore be broadly contemporary. Other occupation deposits included a series of spreads and accumulations. For example, in the northern end of cutting C there was a layer of charcoal rich grey brown soil immediately underneath the peat (F3) seemed to be an occupation type deposit but no associated features or structural evidence were uncovered in this area. Hearths and/or charcoal accumulations and evidence of lithic production were found in Cutting 10:B, and Byrne believes that the flint knapping would suggest that this cutting was in or close to a possible dwelling structure. The fact that there was practically no collapse from the field wall onto the southern side in this area is in marked contrast to every other exposed section of the wall, which may mean that at this point the wall was kept maintained after they had fallen into disrepair elsewhere. It was also a more substantial wall structure here than elsewhere and it's possible it formed part of a house structure built up against it. However there was no other structural evidence within the cutting and probing indicated no other stone structure in the immediate vicinity, but it is possible that a wooden structure had been built against the wall or in the vicinity with foundations outside the area excavated. It is also possible that the wall had been built up just to provide shelter for the activity alongside it. In any case the hearth was dated to 2470-2140 cal BC (UCD-0267 & UCD-0272 both returning the same range), suggesting an Early Bronze Age date for this activity. Charcoal from this hearth included hazel (60%), willow (25%) alder (10%), holly (3%) and oak (2%).
4.3 Ploughing and Cultivation

Cutting 19 was the only area of the excavation where ploughmarks were found but further to the south in cuttings 20 and 21 and in the southern part of cutting 22 the soil was unsuitable for tillage, containing numerous pebbles and frequent stones, up to 0.6m in size, including one granite erratic, 1m wide, in cutting 21. Further to the west however, in cuttings 1 - 6, the soil would appear to have been eminently suited to tillage but no ploughmarks were evident. Here the soil was a stonefree, light brown, fine textured friable soil, which drains quite freely with only very occasional stones, most less than 0.2m in size. The soil type however was quite different in the eastern half of Cutting 7 and in Cuttings 8 and 9, being very stony, with numerous pebbles and small stones up to 0.15m, particularly in cutting 8. The change in soil type was quite evident in cutting 7 between the western and eastern parts, although it was a gradual change. Further west, in cuttings 26 - 30, the soil was also quite stonefree, with only occasional loose stones less than 0.3m in size, but was a heavier more clay soil than cuttings 1 - 6 and was constantly much wetter. Excavations in 1989 showed a comparatively stone free mineral soil in the north of Cuttings A and C, which Byrne interpreted as suggesting that the stones had been removed to build the field walls or possibly to facilitate tillage.
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Direct evidence for tillage was visible in cutting 19, in the form of ploughmarks which showed up as dark peaty narrow bands in the light grey brown fine pre-bog soil. These would have been formed by dragging a primitive plough, or ard, through the soil. These ploughmarks varied in width from 0.02m up to 0.1m and were up to 1.6m in unbroken length, and were between 0.01m and 0.035m deep. There were detailed sections through the ploughmarks and are shown to indicate the variety of profile shapes evident, with some being almost semicircular shaped and others having one steep and one more gradually sloping side. They were filled with peat, which sometimes merged to a peaty soil or dark brown clay soil towards the bottom and sides. More than one episode of ploughing is indicated by the direction of the ploughmarks. The plough marks run mostly in a roughly north-south direction F 29 to F 32, while a couple show cross ploughing in a roughly east-west direction F 33, F 34 and F 35, and a third group is aligned northwest-southeast F 31. The ground here slopes slightly downwards from south to north. Samples from the ploughmarks were analysed for pollen by Karen Molloy and Michael OConnell (Molloy & OConnell 1995). These showed a dominance of Poaceae and also other herbaceous type pollen and cereal type pollen present in the fill of the ploughmarks. A single radiocarbon date was obtained but it is not clear from the publication exactly what was dated in this sample. The date of 2390+/-40 (GrN20032) is 750-380 cal BC. Molloy and OConnell argue that this Iron Age date needs confirmation, but that the pollen spectra imply that bog formation had begun locally at the time of this ploughing and that the low Pinus values and presence of S.papillosum suggest a Bronze or Iron Age date. On the other hand, they note that the low representation of charcoal in the plough samples is at odds with local evidence for extensive Iron Age firing nearby. The excavator believes that there is a high possibility of contamination from this soil sample because the samples were only taken some six months after the excavations, during which time the features were open. However, the broadly contemporary nature of this evidence of ard cultivation and that recovered by Verrill (2006) at Belderg Beg should be noted. Finally, in this regard, the presence of possible lynchets accumulating against some of the cross walls should be noted. These lynchets were most notable to the south of Wall 7 within the smaller enclosure created by Wall 8 (which is, of course, not necessarily contemporary), but may also have been present south of Wall 10. Soil erosion was also noted in Belderg Beg by Verrill and argued to be Neolithic in date (Verrill 2006).
5. Bibliography
Byrne, G. 1989. Unpublished report on the Excavation at Behy / Glenulra, Co Mayo. Byrne, G. 1990 - 1991. Unpublished report on the Archaeological Excavation on the site of Cide fields Centre buildings, Co Mayo.
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Byrne, G. 1989 1992. Unpublished report on Archaeological Excavation work completed and outstanding. Cide fields, Co Mayo. Byrne, G. 1993. Unpublished report on the Archaeological Excavation on the site of the Cide fields, Centre buildings, Co Mayo. Caulfield, S. 1972. Belderg Beg, Co. Mayo: Neolithic Settlement. In T.G. Delaney (ed.) Excavations 1972: summary accounts of archaeological work in Ireland, 223. Association of Young Irish Archaeologists, Belfast. Caulfield, S. (1978) Neolithic Fields: the Irish evidence. In H. C. Bowen and P. J. Fowler (Ed.). Early Land Allotment in the British Isles: a survey of recent work, 137-143. Oxford, British Archaeological Reports 48 Caulfield, S. 1983. The Neolithic settlement of North Connaught. In T. Reeves-Smith and F. Hammond (eds), Landscape Archaeology in Ireland, 195-215. British Archaeological Reports 116 (British Series), Oxford. Caulfield, S. 1988. Cide and Belderg Beg: a guide to two prehistoric farms in north Mayo. Morrigan Book Company, Killala. Caulfield, S., O Donnell, R.G. and Mitchell, P.I. 1998. 14C Dating of a Neolithic field system at Cide fields, County Mayo, Ireland. Radiocarbon, 40, No 2, 629-640 Grogan, E. 1996. Neolithic houses in Ireland. In T. Darvill and J. Thomas (eds), Neolithic Houses in Northwest Europe and Beyond, 4160. Neolithic Studies Group Seminar Papers 1. Oxbow Monograph 57. Oxbow Books, Oxford. Molloy, K. and OConnell, M. 1995. Palaeoecological investigations towards the reconstruction of environment and land-use changes during prehistory at Cide Fields, western Ireland. Probleme der Kstenforschung im sdlichen Nordseegebiet 23: 187-225. Moore, D. G. 2003. Neolithic houses in Ballyharry townland, Islandmagee, Co. Antrim. In I. Armit, E. Murphy, E. Nelis & D. Simpson (eds), Neolithic Settlement in Ireland and Western Britain: 156-63. Oxford: Oxbow. Nuallin, S 1998 Excvation of the smaller court tomb and the associated hut sites at Ballyglass, County Mayo. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Volume 98 C, Number 4 Smyth, J. 2007. Neolithic Settlement in Ireland: new theories and approaches. Unpublished PhD Thesis, University College Dublin. Waddell, J. 1998 The prehistoric archaeology of Ireland. Galway. Galway University Press.
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6. Figures
Figure 1: Location map showing key sites discussed in text
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Figure 2: the Cide Field system
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Figure 3 Overview of Byrnes cuttings in association with the construction of the Cide Fields Visitor Centre
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Figure 4 Location of Byrnes excavation cuttings on the site of the Visitors Centre
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Figure 5: location of Dunnes car park excavation cuttings.

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Figure 6: location of Dunnes excavations associated with site drainage improvements.
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Figure 7: 1989 Proposed Site of Centre, Cutting H: Water rounded stones in trench (F13), facing north.
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Figure 8: 1989 Proposed Site of Centre, Cutting H: Postholes (F 24 to F 28) in the foreground and trenches in the background. Facing North
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Figure 9: Site of Cide Visitor Centre, Cutting 16 Mid excavation of linear feature F53, facing North
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Figure 10: Site of Cide Visitor Centre, Cutting 18 Plan of linear feature F50
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Figure 11: Site of Cide Visitor Centre, Cutting 19 Plan of ploughmarks
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Figure 12: Site of Cide Visitor Centre, Cutting 25: Plan of structural remains
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Figure 13: Overview of Dunnes Car Park Cuttings 5 9.
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Figure 14: Wall uncovering, Cutting 2G Overview of the exposed stone wall facing North.
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Figure 15: Wall uncovering, Cutting 5A Overview of the animal pen in cutting 5, facing Southeast
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7. Appendices
Full registers for all of Dunnes excavations are presented here. Appendix Six includes a summary of the archives held from the minor excavations directed by Dunne.
Appendix One: Feature Register

Feature No F1 F2 F3 Assigned Original Original Original Location All All C Description Layer of peat Natural brown mineral soil Spread layer with details of finds and samples taken Note Book with Gretta 28 30 N 19 22 E Note Book with Gretta Note Book with Gretta 10-16 N 20-21 E 11 17 N 8-9 E 18-22 N 21-22 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 13 N 26 E 12-14 N 27 E 12 N 18 E 14 N 2 7E 14 N 27 EW Notes
F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F 10 F 11 F 12 F 13 F 14 F 15 F 16 F 17 F 18 F 19 F 20 F 21 F 22 F 23 F 24 F 25 F 26 F 27 F 28 F 29 F 30 F 31 F 32
Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original 2009 2009 2009 2009
D and E B C A C H H H H H H H H A H H H H K H H H H H H 19 19 19 19
Wall 1 Wall 5 Layer Loose stones Layer Spread with finds and samples noted Redeposited soil Spread Trench Trench Trench Charcoal silty soil in top of pit F19 Ash layer under F15 in pit F19 Soil underneath stones Stone slabs Ash filled pit with F 15 and F 16 (In site diary) Trench to NE of F 13 (In site diary) Light grey brown silty fill in F 19 at N end (In site diary) Small pit in E edge of cutting K (In site diary) Linear feature N - S, possible extension of F 20 (In site diary) Stakeholes (In site diary) Stake hole Stakehole Stake hole Stake hole Plough Mark Plough Mark Plough Mark section through 31 (section A) 0.50m in depth. 0.48m in depth (section B). Plough Mark (Section D) 0.5m in depth
10 - 17N 26E 29 E 14N 27 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 14 N 27 E
10 - 17N 26E 29 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 12 m N / S 0.2m in width 12. 1 m N / S 0.2m in width 3 m N W / S E 0.2m in width 1.8 m N / S 0.2m in width Page 42 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Feature No F 33 F 34 F 35 F 48 F 49 F 50 F 51 F 52 F 53 F 54 F 55 F 56 F 57 F 58 F 59 F 60 F 61 F 62 F 63 F 64 F 65 F 66 F 67 F 68
Assigned 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original Original
Location 19 19 19 Cutting 2 G Exposed along 11 cuttings 18 18 18 16 16 16 25 16 16 19 25 25 25 25 25 25 Cuttings 5:A and 5:D Cuttings 5:A and 5:D Cuttings 5: and 5:D
Description Plough Mark (Section E) 0.6m in depth Plough Mark Plough Mark (section C) 0.20m in depth Hollow feature in stone wall Natural Linear trench in cutting 18 Silt peat in the linear feature F 50 Brown Silt peat layer under F 51 Linear trench Peat silt in trench F 53 Silt clay under F 53 Charcoal flecked layer in cutting 25 Redeposited Clay in cutting 16 Peat under redeposited clay F 57 Plough mark Stones in Charcoal soil F56 cut of post hole Fill of of posthole F 61 Charcoal spread over F 62 Stone free area in cutting 25 Wall support or foundation in cutting 25 Animal pen Northern wall of the pen / Wall 5 Narrow gap in Wall 5 adjacent to animal pen
Notes 1 m E / W 0.2m in width 0.6 m N / S 0.2m in width 0. 18m W/ E 0.2m in width
47 E 35 N 50 E 35 N 47 E 35 N 50 E 35 N 47 E 35 N 50 E 35 N 56 E 57 N 61 E 57N 56 E 57 N 61 E 57N 56 E 57 N 61 E 57N 33 E 39 E 46 N 52 N 33 E 52 N - 39 E 52 N 56 E 57 N 61 E 57N 0.5 m N / S 0.2m in width 33 E 39 E 46 N 52 N 33 E 39 E 46 N 52 N 33 E 39 E 46 N 52 N 33 E 39 E 46 N 52 N 33 E 39 E 46 N 52 N 33 E 39 E 46 N 52 N
Page 43 of 65
Appendix Two: Photographic Register

Photo No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 print 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 print 40 41 42 print print print 1993 1993 1993 N Close up of the Wall cutting 2F and 2 G Wall cutting 5 G Landscape shot of the Centre and the peat cover Page 44 of 65 print print print print print print print print print print print print print print 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1993 1993 Slide/Print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print Date 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 Facing S N N E E S E N S N S S E Description Trench Ceide Fields 2: G Overview of Centre and Spoil Heap Trench Ceide Fields 2: G Trench Ceide Fields 2: G Trench Ceide Fields 2: F Trench Ceide Fields 8: A Trench Ceide Fields 2: G Trench Ceide Fields 2: G Trench Ceide Fields 2: G Trench Ceide Fields 2: H Trench Ceide Fields 2: G Ceide Fields 2: G Ceide Fields 2: G Post excavation of the stakeholes in cutting H Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting ? As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting Post excavation of the Curvilinear trench in Cutting H Post excavation of the Curvilinear trench in Cutting H Close up of ash filled pit in Cutting H As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting Close up of flat slabs Overview of stone walling with linear trench F 12 to F 13 Post excavation of linear trenches Post Excavation shot of postholes (F 24 - F 28 ) in the foreground and the footing trenches Post Excavation shot of post holes in cutting H Water rolled stones in linear trench F 23 Ash Filled pit Photo of Linear Trench natural features in cutting 18 and 16 Photo of Linear Trench natural features in cutting 18 and 16 Black and white photo of stone feature Post Excavation shot of exposed trench Post Excavation shot of stakehole in cutting H Post Excavation shot of stakehole in cutting H Post Excavation shot of linear treches in linear trench in cutting H Post Excavation shot of stone slabs in cutting H F 18 Post Excvation shot of cutting H Section of the Peat in the cuttings Post excavation shot of cutting 2:G from north Post excvation shot of cutting 2:G close up of the wall and the section
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Photo No. 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 Slide/Print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print S S Date 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 N N N N Facing Description Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings in Sralagagh Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Section of the stone and peat in the cuttings Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Peat cutting with exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Cutting 5: B exposed stones Wall exposed under the peat in cutting Good level shots of the clean stone wall and Peat Good level shots of the clean stone wall and Peat Overview of the stone walls in the cuttings Cutting with the wall exposed Large cutting with wall exposed Long cutting with wall exposed Large cutting with wall exposed Deep peat with wall exposed Page 45 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Photo No. 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 print 98 print 100 print 101 print 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 NW SW As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting different view As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting different view Overview of wall running under peat Profile of the peat and the wall running under the peat Profile of the peat and the wall running under the peat Profile of the peat and the wall running under the peat Profile of the peat and the wall running under the peat Profile of the peat and the wall running under the peat Landscape shot of cutting with stone wall and the peat cover Overview of the wall in cutting Overview of cutting 25 blurred image Overview of cutting 25 Overview of cutting 25 Overview of cutting 25 with large stone slabs also Overview of cutting 25 with large stone slabs also Overview of stone walling under the peat Overview of stone walling under the peat Overview of stone walling under the peat Overview of stone walling under the peat with very black peat Overview of stone walling under the peat with very black peat Overview of stone walling under the peat with very black peat Close up of stones in the natural subsoil Close up of stones in the natural subsoil Close up of stones in the natural subsoil Landscape overview of the fields and hills Overview of the roadway and the peat cuttings with the wall exposed Cutting with the wall exposed under the peat Page 46 of 65 As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting different view As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting different view As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting different view Slide/Print print print print print print print print print Date Facing N N Description Black and white photo of stone feature Glenulra Black and white photo of stone feature Glenulra Cutting with the wall exposed Cutting with the wall exposed and section of the peat Profile of the peat and the wall running under the peat Overview of the stone wall in the cutting Overview of the stone wall in the cutting As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting As above Post excavation of the exposed wall in cutting different view
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Photo No. 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 165 165 165 165 166 167 Slide/Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Print Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 S N E E N N N S NE NE Date Facing Description Close up of the stone walls under the peat Close up of the stone walls under the peat different view Long cutting with wall exposed As above but a different view Overview of the stones in a large cutting Good overview of the wall and cutting junction Overview of the junction of the walls Overview of the junction of the walls Overview of the junction of the walls Overview of the walls under shallow peat cover Overview of the walls under deep peat cover Overview of the walls under deep peat cover Overview of the walls under shallow peat cover Overview of the walls under shallow peat cover Linear wall under the shallow cover of peat Cutting of exposing the walls under peat cutting Cutting of exposing the walls under peat cutting Landscape view with cuttings and the walls exposed Landscape view with cuttings and the walls exposed Close up of a wall in a small cutting Close up of a wall in a small cutting showing junctions under shallow peat cover Close up of a wall in a small cutting showing junctions under shallow peat cover Close up of a wall in a small cutting showing junctions under shallow peat cover Close up of a wall in a small cutting showing junctions under shallow peat cover Long view of the walls in a cutting Narrow cutting exposing the wall Long wall section under the peat Large amount of stone heaped up in the cutting Large amount of stone heaped up in the cutting Large amount of stone heaped up in the cutting Overview of the stone walling at a junction Overview of the walls under the shallow peat Large cutting with wall exposed and cleaned natural As above but a different view As above but a different view Ceide site in the Glenurla Townland Cutting K Wall section in the Ceide site in the Glenurla Townland Cutting K Ceide site in the Glenurla Townland Cutting K close up of F 22 Ceide site in the Glenurla Townland Cutting K close up of F 22 Pre excavation of Cutting L view of stone wall Pre excavation of Cutting L view of stone wall Pre excavation of Cutting L view of stone wall Page 47 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Photo No. 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 Slide/Print Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Date 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1989 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 N N W S N N S S S S NE W W W N N W E E E E N N E N W S S S NE NW W E N N S N S S S S Facing Description Pre excavation of Cutting L root view of stone wall Pre excavation close up of Cutting L root view of stone wall Pre excavation close up of Cutting L root view of stone wall Pre excavation close up of Cutting L root view of stone wall Cutting H before the stones were removed Cutting M Cutting H Cutting H and K Cutting H Cutting H close up of the stone walling Cutting H close up of the stone walling Cutting H North East Corner F 23 Pre excavation Cutting H North East Corner F 24 Pre excavation Cutting H North East Corner F 24 Pre excavation Cutting H North East Corner F 24 Pre excavation Cutting H North East Corner Cutting H North East Corner F 24 Post Excavation in Cutting H Cutting E wall 4 F 13 pre excavation F 19 before the slabs were removed F 19 before the slabs were removed F 19 before the slabs were removed Cutting A after excavation Cutting A, F 7 Cutting A, wall 4 Cutting C Cutting C extension Cutting C Cutting C Cutting C Wall 4 Wall 4 Cutting E, F4 Wall 4 Cutting 16 Cutting 16 Cutting 16 Cutting 18 Cutting 18 Cutting 18 Cutting 18 Cutting 19 Cutting 19 Cutting 19 Cutting 25 Page 48 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Photo No. 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 275 276 277 278 279 Slide/Print Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Date 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 E W W N N S S N S W E W S E E E E E N N N N N N Facing N N Description Cutting 25 Cutting 25 Cutting 25 Cutting 25, F 61 Cutting 29 Cutting 29 Cutting 29 Cutting 30 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Cuttings 11 and 12 Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall under the buidling Wall in Cutting 5 C Wall in Cutting 2 C Wall in Cutting 2 C Cutting Cutting 2 E Cutting 1 C - 1 G Cuttings 1 D and 1 E Ceide Ceide Cutting 1 A Cutting 1 A Cutting 5 C Cutting 5 D Cutting 5 D Cutting 5 D Page 49 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Photo No. 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 300 300 300 300 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 Slide/Print Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide Slide print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print print Date 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1993 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 NE S Facing W E W E N S E E S N N S S N N E S S N W E E E E W W Description Cutting 11 F and 11 E Cutting 11 E and 1 C Cutting 11 E and 1 C Cutting 11 E , 1 C and 24 Cutting 11C Cutting 5 B Cutting 5 B Cutting 2 F Cutting 2 F Cutting 2 F Cutting 2 E and 2 G Cutting 2 G Cutting 2 G Cutting 2 G Cutting 2 G Cutting 2 G Cutting 2 H Cutting 2 H Cutting 2 H Cuttting 5 E Cuttting 5 E Cuttting 5 G Cuttting 8 A Cuttting 10 B Cuttting 10 B Cuttting 10 B Section of peat and natural ground level Linear trenches in the open cutting Linear trenches in the open cutting Shallow trenches with the peat Shallow trenches with the peat Working shot of excavation Working shot of excavation Working shot of excavation Exposed peat under the topsoil Test pit into natural subsoil Test pit into natural subsoil Test pit into natural subsoil Test pit into natural subsoil Test pit into natural subsoil Test pit into natural subsoil Peat cutting exposing the underlying layer Peat cutting exposing the underlying layer Peat cutting exposing the underlying layer Peat cutting exposing the underlying layer different view Peat cutting exposing the underlying layer different view Page 50 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Photo No. 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 Slide/Print print print print print print print print print print print print Date Facing Description Linear trench in the cutting Linear trench in the cutting Exposed peat under the topsoil Exposed peat under the topsoil Exposed peat under the topsoil Exposed peat under the topsoil Test pit into natural subsoil Linear trench in the cutting Section of the peat and natural subsoil Test pit into natural subsoil Section through the peat with natural underlying Page 51 of 65
Appendix Three: Drawing Register

Drawing_No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 35 39 40 41 42 43 44 Plan/Section Trench/Area Site Plan Site Plan Site Plan Site Plan Site Plan Site Plan Site Plan Site Plan Cutting 29 Site Plan 1989 Cutting 18 Cutting 11 Area H Wall 5 Cutting C Cutting H Cutting L Cutting H Cutting 18 Cutting A Cutting 29 Site Plan Cutting 19 Cutting 16 Cutting 30 Cutting 12 Cutting 29 Cutting H Cutting 30 Cutting 19 Cuttings Cutting 25 Cutting 10 Cutting 16 Cutting 25 Cutting A to E Cutting H Cutting 25 Cutting 16 Site Plan Site Plan Wall 5 Site Plan Wall 5 Description
Initials
Scale
Date
Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Section Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Section Plan Plan Section Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Plan Section Plan Sketch
1: 100 1: 100 1: 100 1: 100 1: 100 1: 20 1: 100 1: 100 1: 20 1: 100 1: 100 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20
?/?/93 ?/?/93 ?/?/93 ?/?/93 ?/?/93 ?/?/93 ?/?/93 ?/?/93 ?/?/93 ?/?/89 ?/?/?/93 /1991 /1991 /1992 ?/?/89 ?/?/89 /1990 /1990 /1991 /1989 /1991 ?/?/? ?/?/?
GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB ED and FH GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB BB GB SJ.EB.NW GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB BB GB SJ.FH GB GB
Site plan Site plan Site plan Site plan Site plan Plan 2 Cutting D Site plan Site plan with all the cuttings exposed Plan of cutting 29 Site plan with all the cuttings exposed Plan of cutting 18 with detail of linear trench Plan of trench layout in cutting 11 Plan of Trench H Plan of wall section Cutting C long trench of F6 and F8 (Gretta's plan register) Cutting H and Cutting K Plan of Trench Cutting L (Plan 6 Gretta register) Cutting H Cutting 18 Detail of F 50 Cutting A Section across the walls cutting 29 and cutting 16 Overall site plan with Behy Plan of ploughmarks and and sections Linear trench in cutting 16 Plan of cutting 30 Plan of cutting 12 Plan of cutting 29 Plan of cutting H Plan of cutting 30 Plan of ploughmarks and and section Sections F10, F5, F14 Plan of cutting 25 with details of finds Plan of stones in cuttings 10 10 Section drawings 16 and 18 Plan of hut site in cutting 25 Plan of trenches in the 1989 season Sketch in cutting H Plan of hut site in cutting 25 finds destribution Linear trench in cutting 16 Cuttings 1 to 30 in the Cide Fields Cuttings 1 to 30 in the Cide Fields Profile of wall 5 Overall site plan with cuttings coloured map Profile of wall 5 Page 52 of 65
1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 10 1: 20 1: 20 1: 10 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 100 1: 20 1: 20
?/?/? ?/?/93 ?/?/? 1991/ 1991/ ?/?/? 1991/ 1991/ ?/?/? ?/?/? 1991/ 1991/ 1991/ ?/?/? 1991/ 1991/ ?/?/? /1990 /1990 /1991 /1991
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Cutting 8A Site Plan Profile Finds Cutting 25 Profile 7B Cuttings Plan Plan Sketch Sketch Plan Sketch Plan 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 GB /1990 /1991 BB GB Profile of wall 5 F 19 Grid points with co - ordinates Profile across peat and wall Sketch of finds on permatrace Plan of cutting 25 with details of finds and stone 3 sketches of Trenches 13, 20 23 Plan of cutting 25 with details of finds and stone
Page 53 of 65
Appendix Four: Finds Register

Find No E494:001 E494:002 E494:003 E494:004 E494:005 E494:006 E494:007 E494:008 Trench A C C C C C H H Context F2 F3 F3 F3 F2 F2 F9 F9 Date 27/06/89 11/07/89 11/07/89 11/07/89 12/07/89 12/07/09 19/07/89 19/07/89 Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Material Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Description Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake, possible patination Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake, possible point Grey; flake, retouch along distal edge, probable scraper Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; debitage Black; flake, edge damage on laterals, broken, blade Black; flake, edge damage on lateral, broken, blade Black; flake Black; flake Ovoid stone, hammer Ovoid stone, flattened end, hammer Ovoid stone, flattened end, pecking evident, hammer Ovoid stone, broken, hammer Ovoid stone, broken, flattened end, hammer Flake; edge damage along distal, broken, probable scraper Flake, possible scraper Flake Flake Flake; edge damage along lateral and distal, probable blade Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Degraded pottery; numerous crushed quartz pieces, possible rim sherd Grey; flake, with cortex Grey; flake Grey; flake Page 54 of 65
E494:009 E494:010 E494:011 E494:012 E494:013 E494:014 E494:015 E494:016 E494:017 E494:018 E494:019 E494:020 E494:021 E494:022
H H H H H Disturbed H H C H H K K K
F9 F9 F9 F9 F9
19/07/89 20/07/89 20/07/89 20/07/89 21/07/89 27/06/89
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Chert Chert Chert Chert OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER
F1 F9 F3 F2 F9 F9 F9 F9
17/07/89 19/07/89 20/07/89 14/07/89 19/07/89 21/07/89 27/07/89 27/07/89
E494:023 E494:024 E494:025 E494:026
Disturbed A H H
Disturbed F2 F2 F1
27/06/89 07/07/89 14/07/89 17/07/89
1 1 1 1
Quartz Quartz Quartz Rock Crystal
E494:027 E494:028 E494:029 E494:030 E494:031 E494:032 E494:033 E494:034 E494:035
H H H H H H H K H
F1 F1 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9
18/07/89 18/07/89 19/07/89 19/07/89 20/07/89 20/07/89 20/07/90 20/07/89 21/07/89
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz
E494:036 E494:037 E494:038 E494:039
Cut 25 H H H
F56 F9 F9 F9
23/06/89 26/07/90 26/07/90 30/07/90
1 1 1 1
Pottery Flint Flint Flint
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:040 E494:041 E494:042 Trench H H H Context F9 F9 F9 Date 31/07/90 31/07/90 31/07/90 Qty 1 1 1 Material Flint Flint Flint Description Grey; flake, with cortex Grey; flake, with cortex Grey; flake, broken Grey, some retouch scarring, possible core rejuvenation flake Grey; flake, with cortex, possible reduced core Grey; flake, some cortex Grey; core rejuvenation flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake, broken Black; flake Grey; flake Ovoid stone Ovoid stone with pecked surfaces, hammer Ovoid stone with pecked surface, hammer Ovoid stone with flattened surface, broken Ovoid stone with pecked surface Pebble, broken Ovoid stone, broken Oviod stone, broke Ovoid stone, pecked surface, hammer Degraded pottery; numerous crushed quartz pieces Degraded pottery; numerous crushed quartz pieces Flake Flake Flake Flake Possible core Flake Flake Flake Flake, possible edge damage Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Page 55 of 65
E494:043 E494:044 E494:045 E494:046 E494:047 E494:048 E494:049 E494:050 E494:051 E494:052 E494:053 E494:054 E494:055 E494:056 E494:057 E494:058 E494:059 E494:060 E494:061 E494:062
H K K K L L H H H H L H H H H L H H K K
F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F14 F9 F9 F9 F9 F20 F9 F9 F9
01/08/90 03/08/90 03/08/90 03/08/90 09/08/90 10/08/90 13/08/90 14/08/90 14/08/90 14/08/90 17/08/90 26/07/90 30/07/90 30/07/90 01/08/90 08/08/90 10/08/90 10/08/90 14/08/90 15/08/90
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint OTHER Flint Flint Chert Chert Flint OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER
E494:063
F9
32/07/90
Pottery
E494:064 E494:065 E494:066 E494:067 E494:068 E494:069 E494:070 E494:071 E494:072 E494:073 E494:074 E494:075 E494:076 E494:077 E494:078 E494:079 E494:080
K H H H H H H H H K K K K Disturbed K L L
F9 F9 F9 F13 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 Disturbed F9 F9 F9
10/08/90 30/07/90 30/07/90 30/07/90 30/07/90 30/07/90 30/07/90 31/07/90 01/08/90 02/08/90 02/08/90 03/08/90 03/08/90 03/08/90 07/08/90 08/08/90 08/08/90
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Pottery Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Rock Crystal Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:081 E494:082 E494:083 E494:084 E494:085 E494:086 E494:087 E494:088 E494:089 E494:090 E494:091 E494:092 E494:093 E494:094 E494:095 E494:096 E494:097 E494:098 Trench L L L H L L L K K L L L H H H L L L Context F9 F9 F9 F20 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 Date 08/08/90 08/08/90 08/08/90 09/08/90 09/08/90 10/08/90 10/08/90 14/08/90 14/08/90 18/08/90 18/08/90 18/08/90 18/08/90 18/08/90 18/08/90 09/08/90 09/08/90 10/08/90 Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Material Quartz Quartz OTHER Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Rock Crystal Rock Crystal Chert Flake Flake Pebble, broken Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Probable core Probable core Flake Flake Flake; edge damage on distal, possible scraper Probable core Black; flake, retouched distal edge, convex scraper Black; flake, retouch along edge, possible small convex scraper Black; flake, broken Black; flake, edge damage on lateral, possible blade Black; flake, edge damage on lateral Black; sub rectangular flake, edge damage on lateral, slight concave edge damage on opposing, possible concave scraper Cortex flake Flake Ovoid stone, possible end damage, hammer Black; flake, possible core rejuvenation flake Grey; flake Black; flake Grey; debitage Black; debitage Flake Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Black; flake, possible core rejuvenation flake Unmodified Flake Flake Flake Flake Page 56 of 65 Description
E494:099 E494:100 E494:101 E494:102
L L L K
F9 F9 F9 F9
10/08/90 10/08/90 10/08/90 14/08/90
1 1 1 1
Chert Chert Chert Chert
E494:103 E494:104 E494:105 E494:106 E494:107 E494:108 E494:109 E494:110 E494:111 E494:112 E494:113 E494:114 E494:115 E494:116 E494:117 E494:118 E494:119 E494:120
K K K 7B 1A 1A 5A 7B 7B 5A 7A 7A 5A 5A 5A 5A 5A 7B
F9 F9 F9
14/08/90 14/08/90 14/08/90 18/07/90 19/07/90 19/07/90
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Chert Flint Rock crystal OTHER Chert Chert Chert Flint Chert Quartz Flint Flint Chert Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Rock Crystal
F68
19/07/90 20/07/90 20/07/90 23/07/90
F2 F2 F1 F1 F66 F66 F66
23/07/90 23/07/90 24/07/90 24/07/90 24/07/90 24/07/90 02/08/90 19/07/90
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:121 E494:122 E494:123 E494:124 E494:125 E494:126 E494:127 E494:128 E494:129 E494:130 E494:131 E494:132 E494:133 E494:134 E494:135 E494:136 E494:137 Trench 5A 5A 7A 5A 7A 7A 7A 7A 7A 7A Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 30 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F2 F66 Context F66 F66 Date 07/08/90 07/08/90 08/08/90 07/08/90 09/08/90 08/08/90 08/08/90 08/08/90 08/08/90 09/08/90 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/081991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Material Flint OTHER Chert Quartz Quartz Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Description Grey; some cortex, possible reduced core Possible broken hammer Black; flake, broken distal tip Flake Flake Grey; flake Grey; flake, some cortex Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; flake, some cortex Grey; flake, broken Grey; flake Grey; flake, some cortex Grey; flake, some cortex, broken Grey; flake, distal retouch, scraper Grey; flake Grey; flake; some cortex, broken Grey; flake, edge damage on distal edge and partial lateral, possible scraper Grey; flake, broken, some cortex Grey; flake, broken, some cortex Grey; flake, broken Degraded pottery; numerous crushed quartz pieces Degraded pottery; numerous crushed quartz pieces Degraded pottery; numerous crushed quartz pieces Black; flake, broken Black; flake, some lateral convex retouch, edge damage along proximal lateral, concave scraper Black; flake, some edge sample, broken Black; flake, retouched distal edge, broken, convex scraper Flake; some edge damage, possible scraper Flake Flake; some edge damage, broken, possible scraper Flake; broken, some edge damage Flake Flake Flake, broken, some edge damage Flake Page 57 of 65
E494:138 E494:139 E494:140 E494:141
Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25
F56 F56 F56 F56
00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991
1 1 1 1
Flint Flint Flint Flint
E494:142
Cut 25
F56
00/0081991
Pottery
E494:143
Cut 25
F56
00/08/1991
Pottery
E494:144 E494:145
Cut 25 Cut 25
F56 F56
00/08/1991 00/08/1991
1 1
Pottery Chert
E494:146 E494:147
Cut 25 Cut 22
F56 F2
00/081991 00/08/1991
1 1
Chert Chert
E494:148 E494:149 E494:150 E494:151 E494:152 E494:153 E494:154 E494:155 E494:156
Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25
F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56
00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/0081991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Chert Quartz Quartz Rock crystal Rock crystal Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:157 E494:158 E494:159 Trench Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Context F56 F56 F56 Date 00/0081991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 Qty 1 1 1 Material Quartz Quartz Quartz Flake Flake Flake Flake; broken, edge damage, possible convex scraper Flake; broken, edge damage along lateral, possible blade Flake; broken Flake; possible point Flake; broken Flake; broken Flake; some edge damage Flake Stone axe butt, broken Possible hammerstone Possible hammerstone; distal wear Flattened stone Degraded pottery; numerous crushed quartz pieces Possible hammerstone Possible hammerstone Possible hammerstone, distal wear Smoothed stone, broken Degraded pottery sherd with numerous crushed quartz inclusions Degraded pottery sherd with numerous crushed quartz inclusions Degraded pottery sherd with numerous crushed quartz inclusions Degraded pottery sherd with numerous crushed quartz inclusions, curved profile Degraded pottery sherd with numerous crushed quartz inclusions Degraded pottery sherd with numerous crushed quartz inclusions, possible grey slip Degraded pottery sherd with numerous crushed quartz inclusions Possible core Black; flake, some retouch along distal, broken, possible convex scraper Black; flake, lateral edge damage on opposing sides, distal edge damage, possible end scraper Black; flake, lateral edge damage on opposing sides, broken, possible blade Page 58 of 65 Description
E494:160
Cut 25
F56
00/08/1991
Quartz
E494:161 E494:162 E494:163 E494:164 E494:165 E494:166 E494:167 E494:168 E494:169 E494:170 E494:171
Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 23 Cut 23 Cut 21 Cut 18 Cut 25 Cut 25
F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F2 F2 F2 F2 F56 F56
00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1990 21/02/91 00/08/1991 00/08/1991
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Rock crystal Quartz OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER
E494:172 E494:173 E494:174 E494:175 E494:176
Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25
F56 F56 F56 F56 F56
00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991
1 1 1 1 1
Pottery OTHER OTHER OTHER OTHER
E494:177
Cut 25
F56
00/08/1991
Pottery
E494:178
Cut 25
F56
00/08/1991
Pottery
E494:179
Cut 25
F56
00/08/1991
Pottery
E494:180
Cut 25
F56
00/08/1991
Pottery
E494:181
Cut 25
F56
00/08/1991
Pottery
E494:182
Cut 25
F56
00/08/1991
Pottery
E494:183 E494:184
Cut 25 Unlisted
F56 F2
00/08/1991 00/0111991
1 1
Pottery Quartz
E494:185
7A
00/10/1993
Chert
E494:186
7A
00/10/1993
Chert
E494:187
7A
00/10/1993
Chert
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:188 E494:189 E494:190 E494:191 Trench 7A 7A 7A 7A Context Date 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 Qty 1 1 1 1 Material Chert Flint Quartz Rock crystal Description Black; flake, some lateral edge damage Grey; debitage Flake Flake Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz, possible simple rim sherd Flake Possible core Grey; flake, retouch along distal edge, probable edge damage on laterals, end scraper Grey; flake, possible lateral edge damage, broken, possible blade Grey; flake, possible distal edge damage Grey; flake, some cortex present Grey; flake, some evident for cortex removal Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake, possible lateral edge damage, broken Grey; flake, some dorsal flake scarring, broken Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Flake Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Page 59 of 65
E494:192 E494:193 E494:194
Cut 25 7A 10B
F56
00/08/1991 00/10/1993 00/10/1993
1 1 1
Pottery Quartz Quartz
E494:195
10B
00/10/1993
Flint
E494:196 E494:197 E494:198 E494:199 E494:200 E494:201 E494:202 E494:203 E494:204 E494:205 E494:206 E494:207 E494:208 E494:209 E494:210 E494:211 E494:212 E494:213 E494:214 E494:215 E494:216 E494:217 E494:218 E494:219 E494:220 E494:221 E494:222
10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 5G Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56
00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/10/1993 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Quartz Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:223 E494:224 E494:225 E494:226 E494:227 E494:228 E494:229 E494:230 E494:231 E494:232 E494:233 E494:234 E494:235 E494:236 E494:237 E494:238 E494:239 E494:240 E494:241 E494:242 E494:243 E494:244 E494:245 E494:246 E494:247 E494:248 E494:249 E494:250 E494:251 E494:252 E494:253 E494:254 E494:255 E494:256 E494:257 E494:258 E494:259 E494:260 E494:261 E494:262 E494:263 E494:264 E494:265 E494:266 E494:267 Trench Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Context F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 Date 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Material Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Pottery Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Description Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Page 60 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:268 E494:269 E494:270 E494:271 E494:272 E494:273 E494:274 E494:275 E494:276 E494:277 E494:278 E494:279 E494:280 E494:281 E494:282 E494:283 3E494:284 E494:285 E494:286 E494:287 E494:288 E494:289 E494:290 E494:291 E494:292 E494:293 E494:294 E494:295 E494:296 E494:297 E494:298 E494:299 E494:300 E494:301 E494:302 E494:303 E494:304 E494:305 E494:306 E494:307 E494:308 E494:309 E494:310 E494:311 E494:312 E494:313 Trench Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Disturbed Disturbed Disturbed 7A 7A 7A 7A 7A 7A 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B Context F56 F56 F56 F56 F56 Disturbed Disturbed Disturbed Date 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Material Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Pottery Pottery Pottery Rock crystal Rock crystal Rock crystal Rock crystal Rock crystal Rock crystal Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Description Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Degraded pottery with some crushed quartz Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake Flake, possible dorsal flaking, broken Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; flake Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Page 61 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:314 E494:315 E494:316 E494:317 E494:318 E494:319 E494:320 E494:321 E494:322 E494:323 E494:324 E494:325 E494:326 E494:327 E494:328 E494:329 E494:330 E494:331 E494:332 E494:333 E494:334 E494:335 E494:336 E494:337 E494:338 E494:339 E494:340 E494:341 E494:342 E494:343 E494:344 E494:345 E494:346 E494:347 E494:348 E494:349 E494:350 E494:351 E494:352 E494:353 E494:354 E494:355 E494:356 E494:357 E494:358 E494:359 E494:360 Trench 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B 10B Context Date 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 Qty 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Material Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Flint Description Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Page 62 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report Find No E494:361 E494:362 E494:363 Trench 10B 10B 10B Context Date 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 00/10/1993 Qty 1 1 1 Material Flint Flint Flint Description Grey; debitage Grey; debitage Grey; debitage
Page 63 of 65
Appendix Five: Sample Register

Samples in italics are no longer in archive, having been sent to specialists or for C14 dating
Description
Material
Context
Sample E494:S001 E494:S002 E494:S003 E494:S004 E494:S005 E494:S006 E494:S007 E494:S008 E494:S009 E494:S010 E494:S011 E494:S012 E494:S013 E494:S014 E494:S015 E494:S016 E494:S017 E494:S018 E494:S019 E494:S020 E494:S021 E494:S022 E494:S023 E494:S024 E494:S025 E494:S026 E494:S027 E494:S028 E494:S029 E494:S030 E494:S031 E494:S032 E494:S033 E494:S034 E494:S035 E494:S036 E494:S037 E494:S038 E494:S039 E494:S040
Trench A C C H H H H C C C H H H H J H H H H H H H H K H H H H H H L 2D 2D 5A 10B 10B Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25
Date
Qty
F2 F3 F3 F1 F1 F11 F10/11 F2 F3 F6 F9 F2 F13 F2 F2 F9 F12 F11 F15 F16 F9 F14 F9 F2 F15 F20 F11 F24C F16 F21 F1
07/07/1989 11/07/1989 13/07/1989 19/07/1989 19/07/1989 21/07/1989 21/07/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 00/08/1989 26/07/1990 13/08/1990 14/08/1990 16/08/1990 09/08/1990 30/07/1990 09/08/1990 14/08/1990 16/08/1990 17/08/1990 24/08/1990 24/08/1990 24/08/1990 24/08/1990 24/08/1990
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1
Charcoal Charcoal Soil Roots Peat Peat Mixed Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Soil Soil Charcoal Soil Ash Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Soil Soil Soil Soil Wood Root Root Charcoal Charcoal Wood Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Seed
Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal rich soil Root sample Peat monolith Peat sample Upcast from F10, peat F11 and underlying soil Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal rich soil sample Charcoal rich soil sample Charcoal sample Charcoal rich soil sample Yellow ash Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal rich soil sample, burnt organic material Soil sample, contents of stakehole Ash rich soil sample Soil sample Wood sample Peat sample Root sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Wood sample Charcoal sample Charcoal sample Charcoal Seed sample
F56 F56 F56 F56
00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991
Page 64 of 65
Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo 2009: Excavations at the Cide Fields Visitor Centre: Stratigraphic Report E494:S041 E494:S042 E494:S043 E494:S044 E494:S045 E494:S046 E494:S047 E494:S048 E494:S049 Cut 25 Cut 16 Cut16 Cut16 Cut 16 Cut 16 Cut 19 Cut 19 Cut 19 F56 F54 F58 F58 F58 F58 F59 F59 F59 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Seed Root Root Peat Peat Peat Soil Soil Soil Seed sample Root sample Root sample Peat sample Peat sample Peat sample Soil sample Soil sample Soil sample
Appendix Six: Summary of archival materials from Dunnes excavations
Archive Plans Sections Photographs Artefacts Notebooks
Car-park 8 98 2* 2
Water-main / Access Road 7 1 171 1
Drainage 4 25 1
*Cow-horn, modern delphware
Page 65 of 65

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Archaeological Excavations in association with the construction of the

Cide Visitor Centre (E494)

Gretta Byrne, Noel Dunne

UCD School of Archaeology

1.2 NBNM: Background and Methodology

2. Site Location & Description

Zone 1: 1989: excavations on site of proposed centre

Zone 2: Site of current Visitor Centre and associated infrastructure

Car Park Cuttings (Dir. N Dunne)

3.2 Results: Artefacts

3.3 Results: Samples

3.4 Results: Dating

Cal Date (2 sigma)

Lab Number UCD-0267 UCD-0272 UCD-0268

C14 3840 3835 3660

2470-2140 cal BC 2470-2140 cal BC 2200-1890 cal BC

Hearth Hearth F56: Charcoal layer site of Building

Table 1: radiocarbon dates from the Cide Visitor Centre excavations

4.2 Structures and occupation

4.3 Ploughing and Cultivation

Figure 1: Location map showing key sites discussed in text

Figure 2: the Cide Field system

Figure 5: location of Dunnes car park excavation cuttings.

Figure 6: location of Dunnes excavations associated with site drainage improvements.

Figure 11: Site of Cide Visitor Centre, Cutting 19 Plan of ploughmarks

Figure 13: Overview of Dunnes Car Park Cuttings 5 9.

Appendix One: Feature Register

10 - 17N 26E 29 E 14N 27 E 10 - 17N 26E 29 E 14 N 27 E

Notes 1 m E / W 0.2m in width 0.6 m N / S 0.2m in width 0. 18m W/ E 0.2m in width

Appendix Two: Photographic Register

Appendix Three: Drawing Register

1: 100 1: 100 1: 100 1: 100 1: 100 1: 20 1: 100 1: 100 1: 20 1: 100 1: 100 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20 1: 20

GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB ED and FH GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB BB GB SJ.EB.NW GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB GB BB GB SJ.FH GB GB

Appendix Four: Finds Register

19/07/89 20/07/89 20/07/89 20/07/89 21/07/89 27/06/89

17/07/89 19/07/89 20/07/89 14/07/89 19/07/89 21/07/89 27/07/89 27/07/89

E494:023 E494:024 E494:025 E494:026

27/06/89 07/07/89 14/07/89 17/07/89

Quartz Quartz Quartz Rock Crystal

E494:027 E494:028 E494:029 E494:030 E494:031 E494:032 E494:033 E494:034 E494:035

18/07/89 18/07/89 19/07/89 19/07/89 20/07/89 20/07/89 20/07/90 20/07/89 21/07/89

Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz Quartz

E494:036 E494:037 E494:038 E494:039

23/06/89 26/07/90 26/07/90 30/07/90

Pottery Flint Flint Flint

E494:099 E494:100 E494:101 E494:102

10/08/90 10/08/90 10/08/90 14/08/90

Chert Chert Chert Chert

14/08/90 14/08/90 14/08/90 18/07/90 19/07/90 19/07/90

19/07/90 20/07/90 20/07/90 23/07/90

F2 F2 F1 F1 F66 F66 F66

23/07/90 23/07/90 24/07/90 24/07/90 24/07/90 24/07/90 02/08/90 19/07/90

E494:138 E494:139 E494:140 E494:141

Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25

F56 F56 F56 F56

00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991 00/08/1991

Flint Flint Flint Flint

E494:148 E494:149 E494:150 E494:151 E494:152 E494:153 E494:154 E494:155 E494:156

Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25 Cut 25