Array of archaeological sites and finds uncovered

Necessary pieces of modern infrastructure for the future, motorways have also opened a window to the past as archaeological digs have revealed a wide ranging number of pre-historic, early medieval and early modern historical sites. Although the Kilbegly mill was by far the most interesting of the local sites along the Athlone to Ballinasloe route, there were also a number of other discoveries worthy of note. Several prehistoric 'burnt mounds' or outdoor cooking sites were discovered during the works at Ardnagawna, where heated stones and boiled water were used for cooking and light industrial activities. A simple prehistoric ring-ditch burial enclosure and an early medieval metalworking site, where iron ore was smelted in simple pit-dug furnaces was also found at Ardagawna. Only a few early modern sites were uncovered along the route, two of which was a 19th-century estate cottage at Rathpeak and an early lime kiln at Belrea. This type of structure was used in the manufacture of lime through the burning of limestone. "Archaeology is about the material remains of peoples and societies in all periods, not just in pre-history. This is because examining material evidence can give you insights and perspectives that are unavailable from written or historical sources. Take for example the remains of the cottage at Rathpeak. There are lots of contemporary accounts of the very basic and sometimes squalid living conditions of the rural poor in 19th-century Ireland, but tenants on the big landed estates seem to have enjoyed a better standard of housing. It could be said that they shared to some extent in the order and prosperity of the big house and its parkland," NRA archaeologist Jerry O'Sullivan noted. "The cottage at Rathpeak was a well-built, mortared house, of three rooms, standing within a cobbled yard. The household goods included imported tablewares, locally made iron tools and clay tobacco pipes. Historical sources indicate that the occupants were the family of the estate's herdsman, a high-status tenant who managed the landlord's cattle but who was allowed to keep some cattle of his own among them," he concluded. Post medieval pottery, glass fragments, clay pipe piecess and a 1902 King Edward VII three pence coin all back up the 19th or early 20th century date for the building.