EHG3538 - Watching brief - Passing Places U, V and W, Knocknagael

A watching brief was conducted during the excavation of three passing places. No features or finds of archaeological interest were identified. Passing place U is oriented N-S, reaching the top of a rise in slope. The topsoil here was shallow - depth 10cm. Overlying stony periglacial clays and sands with small-medium angular stones ranging from 2cm – 10cm in diameter. There was very slight charcoal smearing in one area, probably from gorse burning (a lot of gorse in the surrounding area). There was no midden material and no features of archaeological significance were recorded. Passing place V is oriented N-S, and is located W of a pond area. Topsoil here was stony, with small to medium sub-angular stones ranging from 2cm – 10cm in diameter overlying stony periglacial clays and sands with small-medium angular stones ranging from 2cm – 10cm in diameter. The depth ranged from 68cm to 18cm from the surrounding surface. There was no midden material and no features of archaeological significance were recorded. Passing place W is oriented N-S and lies in a heavily gorse-covered area. The topsoil depth ranged from 2cm to 40cm., overlying stony periglacial clays and sands with small-medium angular stones ranging from 2cm – 10cm in diameter. The depth ranged from 68cm to 18cm from the surrounding surface. There was no midden material and no features of archaeological significance were recorded. <1>