Martin A. Timoney (Research Archaeologist)
& Kevin Barton (Archaeological Geophysicist)
Pits and Pitfields, Not Again!
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The Timoney paper in Co. Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society Journal for 2009 is the base article for these enigmatic pits in mid-North Roscommon. It noted 1,500 to 2,000 pits in over forty pitfields. These figures need to be substantially increased thanks to LiDAR imagery and work on the new N5 roadway where excavation has proven two to be manmade, but their cultural status has yet to be established. We will review the early and current work, present new LiDAR visualisations of the pitfields and some preliminary analyses.
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Rathcroghan Complex : LiDAR visualisation of a pitfield to the east of the Mucklaghs which lie in the southwest corner of the image (Data source : Ordnance Survey Ireland).
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Martin A. Timoney, BA, FRSAI, MIAI, is a former Second Level teacher, twenty-four years of it in Castlerea, now aspiring to retirement from a professional archaeological career to devote more time to writing, editing and publishing. He has served Sligo Field Club in all roles since 1975 and is currently joint editor of Sligo Field Club Journal.
Kevin was Co-Director of the Heritage Council-funded ArchaeoGeophysical Imaging Project in the Rathcroghan Complex which carried out Ireland’s first multi-method remote sensing survey. He has a long-term interest in the Rathcroghan landscape and is currently donating his remote sensing skills as part of the group investigating the pitfields.
Kevin was Co-Director of the Heritage Council-funded ArchaeoGeophysical Imaging Project in the Rathcroghan Complex which carried out Ireland’s first multi-method remote sensing survey. He has a long-term interest in the Rathcroghan landscape and is currently donating his remote sensing skills as part of the group investigating the pitfields.