Archaeological excavation report, E2437 Newford, County Galway

This report presents the results of archaeological investigations carried out on behalf of Galway County Council as part of Contract 2 archaeological investigations prior to the commencement of construction on the N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme. The work was undertaken under ministerial direction number A024/2, in the townland of Newford, Co. Galway. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, following consultation with the National Museum of Ireland, directed that Brendon Wilkins of Headland Archaeology Ltd should proceed with Phase II full manual investigation. Contract 2 pre‐construction testing under ministerial direction number A024/2 on this site in 2005 identified two separate areas of archaeological potential on the basis of negative cut features and associated in situ burning visible in the base of test trenches. Limited investigation of these features confirmed their status as archaeological, and these separate areas were subsequently designated Area A and Area B with recommendations for full excavation of all features to ascertain the character, significance and extent of archaeological deposits. Full archaeological investigation was conducted on this site in February 2006. This revealed a Bronze Age funerary pyre with possible cremation cemetery and associated structural and marker post‐holes in Area A. In Area B a Bronze Age burnt mound and associated trough were revealed.