Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo: Report 2011

Dooncarton Southwest slope 3.15 km
Dooncarton Northwest slope 1.3 km
Dooncarton North slope 0.4 km
Table 1: Total length of pre-bog boundary recovered per area
The term field boundary, rather than field wall or fence, is deliberately used here as a variety of
boundary types, mainly constructed with earth and stone, are evident across the study area. This is
in sharp contrast to the almost exclusive evidence of collapsed dry-stone walls noted at Belderg Beg
and Behy-Glenulra (Caulfield, 1978, 1983). In fact, this boundary type does not even form the norm
within the study area.
The variety of boundary types can be seen in the profiles illustrated in Figs X-X. These profiles were
constructed by recording pre-bog and bog surface levels, normally every 20cms across a transect.
The pre-bog levels were then joined together using straight lines. Jagged, saw-tooth profiles reflect
the presence of stone in the feature, while the smoother forms reflect earthen remains.
Collapsed dry-stone walls are evident on the summit and Southwest slope of Gortmelia hill. The
uppermost boundary on Knocknalower hill is also of similar construction. A second type of stone wall
consists of widely spaced orthostats, arranged in lines with no surviving evidence of intermediate
bank or wall material. Such features are evident along part of the uppermost boundary on the
Northwest slope of Dooncarton hill and on the South slope of Faulagh hill, immediately East of
megalith tomb M1. This form of boundary, if it exists under uncut bog within the study area, would
be almost impossible to locate and follow by probing.
Earthen banks and ditches with evidence of stone capping or collapsed stone walls on top of the
bank are the most common type of boundary within the area. These forms are especially evident on
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