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Eachtra Journal

Issue 10                                      [ISSN 2009-2237]




           Archaeological Excavation Report

           04E1119 - Stagpark 3, Co. Cork

                  Two Fulachta fiadh
Final Excavcation Report of two Fulachta fiadh at
Stagpark,
N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road,
Co. Cork




July 2006




Client:             Cork County Council,
                    National Roads Office,
                    Richmond,
                    Glanmire,
                    Co. Cork




Licence No.:        04E1119
Licensee:           Bruce Sutton




                                                           Contact details:
                                                    The Forge,
                                                    Innishannon, Co. Cork.
                                                    Tel.: 021 470 16 16
                                                    Fax: 021 470 16 28
                                                    E-mail: info@eachtra.ie
                                                    Web Site: www.eachtra.ie
04E1119          Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road                                                ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237




                                                                Table of Contents

            i          Project details .................................................................................................... iv
            ii         Non-Technical Summary ....................................................................................v
            1          Introduction .......................................................................................................1
                 1.1           Site location ..................................................................................................1
                 1.2           Scope of the Project ......................................................................................1
                 1.3           Circumstances of discovery ..........................................................................1
                 1.4           Date and duration of excavation works .........................................................1
                 1.5           Size and composition of the excavation team ................................................2

            2          Receiving Environment ......................................................................................2
                 2.1           The Natural Landscape ................................................................................2
                 2.2           The Human Landscape ................................................................................3

            3          Research Framework ...........................................................................................7
            4          Interim Findings .................................................................................................7
                 4.1           Excavation Methodology ..............................................................................7
                 4.2           Full Stratigraphic Report ..............................................................................7
                 4.3           Radiocarbon results .....................................................................................10
                 4.4           Plant remains report ....................................................................................11

            5          Discussion and Interpretation ............................................................................ 11
            6          Assessment of archaeological and significance .................................................... 11
            7          Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 11
            8          Bibliography ...................................................................................................... 12
            9          Figures ...............................................................................................................14
            10         Plates .................................................................................................................24
            11         Appendices ........................................................................................................ 27
                 11.1          Appendix 1: Matrices ..................................................................................27
                 11.2          Appendix 2: Context Register .....................................................................30
                 11.3          Appendix 3: Context Register .....................................................................47
                 11.4          Appendix 4: Charred plant remains from Stagpark 3, Co. Cork (04E1119) 47
                 11.5          Appendix 5: Summary account of site archive .............................................48
                 11.6          Appendix 6: Dissemination Strategy............................................................49
                 11.7          Appendix 7: Programme Schedule Dates & Deliveries .................................49




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        List of Figures
            Figure 1: Portion of discovery map showing route of N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road. ...........................14
            Figure 2: Portion of RMP sheets CO019 & CO010 showing route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road. ..
                      ..............................................................................................................................................15
            Figure 3: Portion of 1st edition maps sheets 10 & 19 showing Mitchelstown Demesne and the route of
            the N8 Mitchelstown Road. ..................................................................................................................16
            Figure 4: Route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road showing location of all archaeological sites. .......17
            Figure 5: Portion of route of N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road showing location of 04E1119. ...................18
            Figure 6: Plan of extent of fulachta fiadh C.3 and C.4. ........................................................................19
            Figure 7: Plan of extent of mound C.4. ............................................................................................... 20
            Figure 8: Post-excavation plan and sections of trough C.45 and pits C.8 and C.17...............................21
            Figure 9: Plan of extent of mound C.3. ................................................................................................22
            Figure 10: Post-excavation plan and sections of trough C.88 and pit C.80...........................................23



        List of Plates
            Plate 1: View of trough C.45 and pit C.8 and C.17 from north............................................................ 24
            Plate 2: View of stakeholes on northern side of pit C.17 from west....................................................... 24
            Plate 3: View of trough C.45 from east. ................................................................................................25
            Plate 4: View of area of mound C.3 post-excavation from south-west. ..................................................25
            Plate 5: View of section of trough C.88 from east. ................................................................................26
            Plate 6: View of pit C.80 and stakeholes C.118-C.122 from southeast. .................................................26




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04E1119        Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road          ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237



        Project details

        Project N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road
        Site Name                    Stagpark 3
        Site Type                    Fulachta Fiadh
        Licence No.                  04E1119
        Ministerial Order No.        A012/001
        Licensee                     Bruce Sutton


        Townland                                Stagpark
        Nat. Grid Ref.                          180275 111397



        Report Type Excavation Report
        Report Status            Final Report


        Date of Submission           July 2006
        Distribution          Ken Hanley, Project Archaeologist Cork County Council, Dept. of the En-
        vironment, Heritage and Local Government, National Museum of Ireland and Cork Archaeological
        Survey Office.




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        Non-Technical Summary
        This report details the results of an archaeological excavation undertaken by Eachtra Archaeological
        Projects of a site on the route of the proposed N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road, on behalf of Cork County
        Council. The proposed bypass involves the construction of 4.5km of the N8 from Cloonlough, south
        of Mitchelstown, to the junction of the R513 and the N8, north of Mitchelstown.


        Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in June, July and Septem-
        ber 2004 under licences 04E0889-04E0892 issued by Department of the Environment Heritage and
        Local Government (DoEHLG). The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test sites of ar-
        chaeological potential identified in the EIS and geophysical surveying and to test for any previously
        unknown sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing.


        Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites identified within
        the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction of the bypass in order to avoid
        delays and costs during construction works. This phase of the project was carried out from September-
        December 2004 and excavations were conducted by two licensed directors under the management of
        a Senior Archaeologist. In total five sites were excavated during this phase of works and all excavations
        were carried out initially under separate licences issued by DoEHLG and subsequently under Ministe-
        rial Order.


        One of these sites, Stagpark 3 is the subject of this report. It was identified in the testing in the town-
        land of Stagpark, at chainage 800 of the proposed road scheme and excavated under Licence Number
        04E1119 and Ministerial Order Number A012/001. The site comprised two fulachta fiadh.




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        1         Introduction
        1.1       Site location
        This report details the results of the archaeological excavation of a site on N8 Mitchelstown Relief
        Road (MRR), County Cork (National Grid Co-ordinates 180275 111397). The site is located c.1 km
        to the southwest of Mitchelstown and less than 1km east of the N8 (Figure 1). It is located in the
        townland of Stagpark, the Parish of Brigown and barony of Condons and Clangibbon.


        1.2       Scope of the Project
        This Archaeological Services Project was carried out on behalf of Cork County Council, National
        Roads Design Office, Richmond, Glanmire, Co. Cork. This project was funded by the Irish Govern-
        ment under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006. The purpose of the Project was to conduct
        Archaeological Site Investigations within the lands made available for the scheme and to assess the
        nature and extent of any new or potential archaeological sites uncovered.
        Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in June, July and Septem-
        ber 2004 under licences 04E0889-04E0892 issued by Department of the Environment Heritage and
        Local Government (DoEHLG). The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test sites of ar-
        chaeological potential identified in the EIS and geophysical surveying and to test for any previously
        unknown sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing.
        Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites identified within
        the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction of the bypass in order to avoid
        delays and costs during construction works. This phase of the project was carried out from September-
        December 2004 and excavations were conducted by two licensed directors under the management of
        a Senior Archaeologist. In total five sites were excavated during this phase of works and all excavations
        were carried out initially under separate licences issued by DoEHLG and subsequently under Ministe-
        rial Order.
        Following completion of fieldwork a dissemination strategy was undertaken and submitted to the
        project archaeologist. A programme of post-excavation analysis was agreed and commenced. A lecture
        on the preliminary findings was given to Mitchelstown Historical Society in May 2005 by the project
        and senior archaeologists. It is envisaged that a second lecture will be given to Mitchelstown Historical
        Society during their autumn/winter programme 2006-07.


        1.3       Circumstances of discovery
        Prehistoric archaeological material was discovered at Mitchelstown 2 during archaeological test trench-
        ing undertaken in June 2004 under licence 04E0890. Topsoil in the vicinity of the sites was subse-
        quently stripped by tracked machine using a flat bucket under the direction of the licensed director.
        When the limits of the site had been determined, full excavation of the site commenced under license
        04E1119.


        1.4       Date and duration of excavation works
        The excavation commenced on 13th September 2004 under licence 04E1119. The work was suspended


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        on October 14th 2004 as it was necessary to apply for a Ministerial Order under the National Monu-
        ments Amendment Act 2004. The Ministerial Order, A012/000, was granted in November 2004 and
        excavation recommenced on 29th November 2004 and finished on 8th December 2004 under licence
        04E1119 and Ministerial Order A012/001.


        1.5       Size and composition of the excavation team
        The archaeological excavation team consisted of the licence holder, one supervisor, three site assistants
        and one general operative.


        2         Receiving Environment
        2.1       The Natural Landscape
        2.1.1 Geology
        The topography of East Cork and Waterford consists of east-west orientated valleys separated by in-
        tervening ridges. The ridges consist of sandstones and mudstones of the Devonian Period (Old Red
        Sandstone) laid down 355-410 million years ago and the valleys of Carboniferous limestones laid
        down 290-355 million years ago. The sediments covering many of the rocks are mainly of glacial origin
        deposited by glacial ice or meltwater (Sleeman et al. 1995, 1). Major earth movements have resulted
        in the uplifting and folding of the rock units. Anticlines occur when local uplift results in a convex
        upward fold. Synclines occur when local uplift results in a concave upward fold (ibid. 3).
        The Mitchelstown Syncline is composed of a variety of Carboniferous Formations. Three of these for-
        mations are located in the area of the route of the N8 MRR. The Croane Formation is composed of a
        mixture of mudstones and cherts and is estimated to be about 300m thick (ibid. 31). The Rathronan
        Formation is composed of micrites, wackestones and cherts (ibid. 32). The O’Mahony’s Rock Forma-
        tion consists of micrites, packstones, wackestones and grainstones and is estimated to be about 100m
        thick. The type area is between Mitchelstown Castle and Killee House to the west (ibid.).


        2.1.2 Soils and their uses
        The soils to the north of the Gradoge River to the west of Mitchelstown are characterised by a mix
        of acid brown earths, gleys and grey brown podzolics, which are derived from mixed sandstone and
        limestone glacial till while the underlying rock is Carboniferous limestone. The acid brown earths and
        gleys occur in the gently rolling valleys of Cork and Waterford mainly at altitudes of 0-75m (Gardiner
        1980, 61). The soils have a wide use range and are suitable for tillage and grass production. The soils to
        the south of the Gradoge River are characterized by a mix of gleys and peaty gleys which are derived
        from glacial till of mixed sandstone-shale composition with a small admixture of limestone in places.
        They occur mostly at altitudes of 76m to 152m. The soils have a limited use range as they are poorly
        drained even on good slopes. They are best suited to grassland (ibid. 77-79)


        2.1.3  Topography
        The route of the N8 Mitchelstown relief road (MRR) traverses the townlands of Cloonlough, Stag


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        Park and Mitchelstown on the western side of the town of Mitchelstown. The route extends from the
        N8 c. 1km south of Mitchelstown, crosses the N73 Mitchelstown/Mallow road, the Gradoge River
        Valley and traverses the ridge on the northern side of the river valley to the junction of the R513 Mitch-
        elstown/Ballylanders road and rejoins the N8. The northern half of the route traverses Mitchelstown
        Demesne, breaching the estate wall at the junction with the N73 and the R513. The southern half of
        the route climbs from c. 120m OD to 130m OD before descending to the banks of the Gradoge River,
        80m OD and climbing northwards to the apex of the limestone ridge 110m OD.


        The land is for the most part under pasture and is located at an altitude of between 80-130m OD.
        The landscape of the Mitchelstown area is dominated by the Galtee Mountains to the north, the Bal-
        lyhoura Mountains to the west and the Kilworth Mountains (the foothills of the Knockmealdown
        Mountains) to the south. The Gradoge River is a tributary of the Funshion River. It rises south of
        Mitchelstown on the southern slopes of the Kilworth Mountains and drains into the Funshion to the
        immediate west of the route of the N8 MRR. The River Funshion drains into the River Blackwater
        south of Kilworth.


        The site of Stagpark 3 was located in low-lying pasture to the southeast and downslope of Stagpark 1
        (04E1120) and 800m west of the N8.


        2.2       The Human Landscape
        2.2.1 Archaeological Background
        There is a paucity of known archaeological sites within a 2 km radius of the route of the N8 MRR.
        Three prehistoric sites, fulachta fiadh (CO019-019, -020,-021) are recorded in Stagpark and Ballykear-
        ney between 100-500m of the route corridor. The site of Mitchelstown Castle (CO019-026), the as-
        sociated demesne and the historic town of Mitchelstown (CO019-149) are the principle medieval and
        post-medieval sites in the vicinity of the route corridor (Figures 2 and 3).


        2.2.2 Mesolithic 7000 BC - 4000 BC
        The earliest known human settlement in Ireland dates from the Mesolithic period (c. 7000 BC - 4000
        BC). In Munster, the majority of the evidence (flint scatters) for Mesolithic occupation has ‘come from
        the Blackwater valley in Co. Cork’ (Woodman 1989, 116). Flint scatters were recorded in the townlands
        of Ballynamona (CO018-099) and Wallstown (CO018-100) on the northern and southern sides of the
        Awbeg river respectively c. 15km to the west of the route of the N8 MRR (Power et. al. 2000, 2).


        2.2.3 Neolithic 4000 BC -2500 BC
        The Neolithic Period is characterised by the introduction of agriculture and the beginnings of the
        clearance of the woodlands. The population increased and became more sedentary in nature. Sub-
        stantial Neolithic settlement sites have been recorded at Lough Gur, Co. Limerick and Cloghers, Co.
        Kerry. The material culture includes the manufacture of pottery, flint and stone arrowheads, scrapers,



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        axes etc. The range of monuments types includes Megalithic tombs (court tombs, portal tombs, pas-
        sage tombs and wedge tombs), single burial graves and stone circles.
        There is a paucity of evidence for Neolithic settlement sites in the south-west of Ireland.
        Recent infrastructural development has increased the amount of Neolithic sites in County Cork. The
        nearest known Neolithic house was excavated on the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy in the townland of Gor-
        tore. The structure was dated to the Early Neolithic cal BC 3928-3655 (UB 6769). Further evidence of
        the Neolithic was recorded at Fermoy and Curraghprevin (NRA N8 Rathcormac Fermoy).


        2.2.4 Bronze Age 2000 BC -500 BC
        The Bronze Age is characterised by the introduction of metallurgy, the mining of copper ores and
        manufacture of copper, bronze and gold items. The range of burial site types includes, cist graves,
        pit and urn burials, cremation cemeteries, barrows, ring-ditches and wedge tombs. Stone circles and
        standing stones also date to the Bronze Age. Both enclosed and unenclosed settlement sites are known.
        The most prolific Bronze Age site type is the fulacht fiadh; over 2,000 examples have been recorded in
        County Cork alone. These monuments survive as low mounds of charcoal rich black silt packed with
        heat-shattered stones and are generally situated close to a water source. In many cases, however, all that
        survives to the present day are black spreads with fragments of shattered stones visible in ploughed
        fields. Fulachta fiadh are generally classified as ‘cooking places’, whereby stones were heated in a hearth
        and subsequently placed in a trough of water, the water continued to boil with the addition of hot
        stones and wrapped food was cooked within the hot water. The trough eventually filled with small
        stones, ash and charcoal that were removed and formed the basis of the familiar mound. The absence
        of animal remains and the scarcity of associated hearths have fuelled the debate in relation to the func-
        tion of the sites. Other theories on their interpretation include bathing and dyeing textiles together
        with the production of hot water and steam for curative purposes and sweat houses (Kelly 1989, 225).
        Waddell (1998, 177) suggests the semi-industrial purpose of using the boiling water for dipping hides
        as part of the preparation of the leather, while Dunne (pers. comm.) suggests a relationship between
        burnt mounds and Bronze Age funerary rites and burial practices.


        There are few wedge tombs or stone circles known from north or east Cork. Two of the exceptions are
        wedge tombs located at Labbacallee (CO027-086) and at Manning (CO027-091) both located c. 8 km
        south of the N8 MRR. Labbacallee is one of the largest wedge tombs in the country.


        The cemetery of Mitchelstowndown West contains 53 small barrows. Four of this group were selected
        for excavation by the Discovery Programme (Daly et. al. 1992, 44). The site of the cemetery is located
        16 km to the north of the N8 MRR.


        Until recently Bronze Age settlement sites were a rarity in North Cork. A Bronze Age occupation site
        was recorded underlying the medieval ringfort Lisleagh I (CO027-158) c.3.5km to the south of the N8
        MRR (Power et. al. 2000, 210). A house site was excavated at Killydonoghoe on the route of the N8
        Glanmire-Watergrasshill Bypass (NRA N8 Watergrasshill). A large Bronze Age settlement site consist-



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        ing of four enclosures and three circular houses was excavated in 2003 at Ballybrowney on the route
        of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy (Cotter 2005, 38). A Middle Bronze Age settlement site was excavated
        in Mitchelstown (04E1072), a complex of Early and Late Bronze Age pits were excavated in Stagpark
        (04E1120) and three fulachta fiadh were excavated in Stagpark (04E1121 & 04E1119) on the route of
        the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road. In addition a rare and important hoard of Early Bronze Age pottery
        was excavated on the banks of the Gradoge River (04E1071).


        2.2.5 Iron Age 500 BC – 400 AD
        At present, there is little evidence of a significant Iron Age presence in the Cork region. Settlement sites
        are few and far between as well as being difficult to identify (Woodman, 2000) while the material cul-
        ture of this period is limited. Linear earthworks, which are believed to have marked tribal boundaries,
        are one of the most visible monuments of the period.
        Three separate stretches of one such boundary, the Claidh Dubh, have been recorded in County Cork.
        The longest stretch, c. 24 km extends from the Nagle Mountains, across the Blackwater valley and into
        the Ballyhoura Hills. The Claidh Dubh crosses the N73 c. 12km west of the N8 MRR. Radiocarbon
        dating following excavation of a section of it revealed it dated to some time before 100AD (Doody
        1995, 23).


        Three of the five hillfort sites in Cork are located in North Cork (Power et al, 2000, 205). Caherdrinny
        is located at the western end of the Kilworth Mountains, c. 3 km to the south of the N8 MRR and
        Corrin is located at the eastern end of the Nagle Mountains c. 15 km to the south of the N8 MRR.


        A complex of monuments in Conva townland (c. 15 km to the southwest of the N8 MRR) was identi-
        fied by aerial photography in the Blackwater Valley. Crop marks indicated three enclosures (CO034-
        7201, -7202, -7203) and a number of large pits (CO034-7204) possibly comprising a rectangular
        enclosure. The site was investigated in 1992 by Martin Doody of the Discovery Programme which
        involved geophysical prospection, topographic survey and trial excavation. Sections were dug through
        the three enclosures and through four of the large pits. Metal debris was discovered and radiocarbon
        dates indicated that the complex dated to the Iron Age/Early Medieval period.


        A complex of pits, dating to the Iron Age, cal BC 346-45 (UB6719) was excavated in Stagpark
        (04E1120) on the route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road.


        2.2.6 Early Medieval 400 AD – 1000 AD
        The Early Medieval Period/Early Christian Period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to
        Ireland. Early ecclesiastical sites are located at Brigown (CO019-030) on the southeastern side of
        Mitchelstown and to the west of the N8 MRR at Aghacross (CO019-002), Leabba Molagga and Mar-
        shalstown. The monastery of Brigown founded in the 7th century gives its name to the modern parish
        (Power 1996, 3).




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        The characteristic monument type of the period was the ringfort. Ringforts are the most numerous
        archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30 and 50,000 illustrated on
        the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s (Barry, 1987). As a result of continued
        research these monuments have a narrow date range during the Early Christian period between the 7th
        and 9th centuries AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts they often take the
        form of a simple earth or stone enclosure and functioned as settlements for all classes of secular society
        (Stout, 1997). A major research excavation of two ringfort was undertaken at Lisleagh c. 3.5km to the
        south of the route of the N8 MRR. Structural, domestic and industrial evidence was recorded at both
        sites. A number of stake and wattle round houses, and iron working were recorded in Lisleagh I. Two
        phases of occupation were recorded at Lisleagh I. The Lisleagh I was constructed in the early seventh
        century and was occupied into the ninth century AD (Monk 1995, 105-116).


        2.2.7 Medieval 1000 AD – 1300 AD & Late Medieval 1300 AD -1500 AD
        The period is characterized by the arrival of the Anglo-Normans. Mitchelstown was formerly known as
        Brigown / Mitchelstown (CO019-149). It was listed as a market town in 1299 and was located on the
        southern bank of the Gradoge River, to the east of Mitchelstown Castle (Power, D. et al. 2000, 595).
        The town developed under the patronage of the House of Desmond. It passed into the hands of the
        Earls of Kingston in the 17th century (Power 1996, 23).
        Mitchelstown Castle was located on a limestone ridge on the southern bank of the Gradoge River. The
        first settlers, the Anglo-Norman FitzGibbons, held the title of White Knights. Their territory extended
        from Mitchelstown to Kilmallock (Power 2000, 1) and they built a tower house on the ridge. The
        White Knight lineage ended in the 17th century and the estate passed through marriage into the hands
        of the Fenton family (ibid. 3) and ultimately to the Kingstons. The earlier castle was destroyed in the
        wars of 1641.


        A corn-drying kiln dating to the Later Medieval Period cal AD 1310-1434 (UB 6833) was excavated
        in Stagpark 2 (04E1121).


        2.2.8 Post-Medieval 1500 AD – 1800 AD
        In 1776 Lord Kingsborough, the 2nd earl of Kingston, created the new town of Mitchelstown. He
        demolished the old town between Kingston College and the Castle. Kingston College developed into
        a Georgian square. The new town was centred between the two parallel main streets of George Street
        and Cork Street. King Square and New Market Square became the focal points of the town (ibid.). St
        George’s Church, built in 1801, was located at the southern end of George Street and King Square at
        the northern end. New Market Square was located midway and on the western side of Cork Street. The
        new town was built on 138 acres.


        Lord Kingsborough, the second earl of Kingston, built a new mansion on the site of the White Knights
        castle and a demesne around the mansion in the 18th century. A demesne wall was constructed around
        the parkland of some 1240 acres. The wall was ‘six-and-a-quarter-mile long…between eight and ten feet


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        in height’ (Power 1996, 24). All public roads that were located within the area of the demesne were
        closed and rerouted on the periphery of the wall. Entry to the demesne was gained through Mallow
        Gate also known as White Gate, Limerick Gate and the main entrance was at King Square. Extensive
        works were undertaken within the area of the demesne which resulted in ‘a quadrangle of buildings, a
        garden of five English acres surrounded by a wall, large conservatories and lavishly arranged gardens became
        part of the scene. Two artificial lakes were developed beneath the rockface on which the castle stood ’ (ibid.,
        24). Several hundred acres of woodland comprising of oak, ash, larch, beech and alder were planted
        within the demesne. In 1823 the third earl of Kingston demolished the Georgian house and built a
        new castle on the same site. The architects James and George Pain designed and built this neo-Gothic
        castellated mansion. The limestone buildings formed three sides of a courtyard (Power 1996, 42).


        Mitchelstown Castle was burnt by Republican forces in 1922. The stone was bought by the Cistercian
        Monks of Mount Melleray and reused to build a church. Few traces of the castle are visible today. At
        present, Dairygold occupies the site of the former castle. The 1240 acres of parkland was divided into
        farms, the town park and a golf course.


        3         Research Framework
        The following issues will be addressed in this report.
        	The construction date or date of initial site activity and the date of abandonment.
        	The absolute / relative chronology of site use in terms of phases and events.
        	The location of known contemporaneous and comparable sites.
        	The extent of the viable economic catchment area in terms of sources of water, food, raw materials,
           transportation routes etc


        4         Interim Findings
        4.1       Excavation Methodology
        A total area of 32m N-S by 32m E-W were excavated under license 04E1119 at Stagpark 3 (figure
        5) (Grid coordinates 180182, 113286). A grid was established and the ground within the grid was
        cleaned by hand to locate and identify all archaeological features. Each identified feature was exca-
        vated, planned, photographed and recorded, with every fill and cut being assigned a context number.
        Charcoal and soil samples were taken from appropriate fills where necessary. All artefacts were re-
        trieved, registered, bagged and labelled.


        4.2       Full Stratigraphic Report
        See Appendix 1 for the full stratigraphic matrix.


        4.2.1 Stratigraphic Sequencing
        4.2.1.1 Bronze Age
        The archaeology at Stagpark 3 consisted of two separate fulachta fiadh distanced by less than 6m (Fig-



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        ure 6). The burnt mound C.4 located in the southeast area of the site measured 19.2m by 15.4m and
        was the larger of the two. It was composed of grey-black clay silt and included frequent heat-shattered
        sandstone. The mound was very shallow being on average 0.1m-0.2m in depth. In total 33 stakeholes,
        three postholes, two pits (C8 and C.17) and a rectangular trough C.45 were located beneath the burnt
        mound C.4 (Figure 7, plate 1).


        Pit C.17 measured 4.15m by 1.45m by 0.57m deep and was roughly orientated northwest-southeast. It
        contained four fills (C.13, C.14, C.15 and C.16) and was truncated by the pit C.8. Although C.17 was
        located under burnt mound material C.4, the in-filled material contained no burnt stone inclusions,
        suggesting it had in-filled prior to the build-up of the mound. C.8 measured 1.9m by 1.55m by 0.35m
        and contained three fills (C.9, C.12 and C.18) with burnt stone inclusions. Pit C.17 was surrounded
        by 25 stakeholes (C.11, C.49, C.53, C.51, C.33, C.34, C.41, C.63, C.60, C.141, C.39, C.103, C.102,
        C.37, C.31, C.101, C.100, C.27, C.25, C.29, C.35, C.58, C.62, C.65 and C.67) and three postholes
        (C.20, C.23 and C.71), all of which contained single fills (Figure 8, Plate 2). The majority of the stake-
        holes and postholes were located to the southwest and northeast of C.17, placing them along the sides
        of the pit. Only seven of the features (C.60, C.62, C.11, C.49, C.20, C.23 and C.67) were located
        at the northwestern and southeastern ends. Charcoal from the fill of stakehole C.51 was identified as
        hazel and/or alder. A radiocarbon date of cal BC 2122-1828 (UB-6718) was returned from charcoal
        from the stakehole.
        The stakeholes surrounding the pit did not form any discernible pattern or structure; it is likely that
        they formed a windbreak, spit or fire-side furniture, open to the northwest, associated with the pit.


        The trough C.45 was located under the northern portion of the mound C.4, c. 2.3m north of the pit
        C.17. It was rectangular in shape and measured 2.02m by 1.45m by 0.65m deep (Figure 8, Plate 3).
        It contained four fills (C.42, C.43, C.44 and C.87), the main peat fill (C.44) accumulated after the
        abandonment of the area. The basal fill (C.87) was the remains of a waterlogged and badly degraded
        piece of timber, which lay flat in the base and was possibly the remains of a lining. Eight stakeholes
        (C.90, C.92, C.127 C.129, C.128, C.130, C131 and C.132) were located in the corners of the trough.
        These all contained similar grey-black silty sand fills which suggested the timber posts had degraded in
        situ. The presence of the stakeholes further confirms that the trough may have been timber lined.


        The mound C.3 was located c. 6m to the northwest of mound C.4 (Figure 6). It measured 15.4m by
        14m, making it the smaller of the two mounds. It was composed of grey-black clay silt and included
        frequent heat-shattered sandstone. The mound was very shallow being 0.1m-0.2m deep on average.
        The charcoal was identified as hazel and/or alder. A radiocarbon date of cal BC 2023-1773 (UB-6744)
        was returned from charcoal from the mound. The mound covered a trough, C.88 and two large pits
        C.80, C.110 and C.115, two small pits C.110 and C.74 and a number of stakeholes (Figure 9, plate
        4).


        The trough C.88 measured 2.75m by 2m by 0.8m in depth. It contained six fills (C.133, C.134, C.135,



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        C.136, C.137, C.138 and C.139) (Figure 10, Plate 5). The fills were a mix of sand and silty clays. The
        upper fill C.133 and fill C.136 included 50% heat-shattered stone. The basal fills were sandy. Six
        stakeholes (C.148, C.150, C.152, C.154, C.156, C.158) were recorded on the edge of the trough and
        four (C. 81, C.85, C.142, C.146) on the western perimeter. The largest of the stakeholes (C.156) mea-
        sured 0.13m by 0.1m by 0.24m in depth. The smallest stakehole (C.148) measured 0.07m by 0.09m
        by 0.02m in depth. The stakeholes within the trough were located, with the exception of C.158, to the
        northern section of the trough. The stakeholes on the perimeter were confined to the western edge. The
        stakeholes may have formed a windbreak, spit or fire-side furniture, open to the east.


        The pit C.80 was located c.1.9m south-west of trough C.88 (Figure 10). It was truncated by a field
        drain on the southeastern side. It was rectangular in plan and measured 1.3m by 1.1m by 0.3m. Four
        fills (C.79, C.93, C.94 and C.95) were recorded in the pit. The fills were silty and clay sands with
        inclusions of heat-shattered stone. The basal fill C.95 was coarse sand. Five stakeholes (C.118, C.119,
        C.120, C.121 and C.122) were located on the northern and western edges of the pit (Plate 6). They
        were located within 0.2m-0.25m of each other. They measured on average 0.06m by 0.05 and varied
        in depth from 0.05m-0.12m. The stakeholes may have formed a windbreak, spit or fire-side furniture,
        and in a manner similar to those associated with the trough C.88 the apparatus was open to the east.


        The pit C.115 was located 5.5m west of trough C.88. It was rectangular in plan and measured 2.6m
        by 1.1m by 0.35m in depth. The single clay silt fill included heat-shattered stones. The pit truncated a
        posthole C.117 to the west. It measured 0.35m in diameter by 0.3m in depth.


        An semi-circular arc of three pits (C.68, C.74 and C.110) three postholes (C.75, C.113 and C.125) and
        five stakeholes (C.105, C.106, C.107, C.108 and C.109) were located c. 3.6m northeast of pit C.115
        and c. 2.5m northwest of trough C.88. The arc measured c. 6m and the possible entrance was to the
        southwest. The pits varied in size, the smaller two (C.68 and C.74) measured 0.48m by 0.4m and 0.32
        by 0.31m respectively. The larger pit C.110 measured 1m by 0.5m. All of the pits were shallow being
        c. 0.2m in depth. The smaller postholes (C.113 and C.125) measured c. 0.18m in diameter by 0.2m in
        depth. The larger C.75 was cut by the pit C.74 to the east. The stakeholes measured on average 0.14m
        by 0.13m and varied in depth from 0.1m-0.15m. All of the features were filled with a grey-black silty
        clay with inclusions of pebbles and occasional charcoal.


        A large cut C.5 was located on the northern edge of the area of excavation. It measured 5.5m by 3m
        by a minimum of 1.4m in depth. The full depth of the cut could not be realised as it kept filling with
        rising water. It extended beyond the area of the excavation to the north. It is possible that the cut
        maybe a pit or the terminal of a ditch. The upper fill was a silty clay, similar to the natural sub-soil, the
        underlying fill was a peat deposit and the basal fill was a silty sand with inclusions of heat-shattered
        stone. It is possible that the feature is associated with modern drainage features.




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        4.2.2 Stratigraphic Discussion
        Two fulachta fiadh were located within 5m of one another at Stagpark. The monuments survive as very
        low mounds of black silt with inclusions of heat-shattered stones and are
        generally situated close to a water source. No water source was recorded within the field and no water
        source is indicated on the 1st edition OS map sheet CO019. The underlying clay subsoil is impermeable
        and land drains were recorded in the field. Each of the two mounds overlay a trough, pits, postholes
        and stakeholes. No evidence of a hearth was recorded. No stratigraphic evidence was recorded to sug-
        gest which of the mounds and associated features predated the other or if they were in use simultane-
        ously. The radiocarbon dates returned for the sites would suggest that the mound C.4, in the southeast,
        predated the mound C.3 to the northwest.


        The mound C.4 overlay a pit and a rectangular trough. 25 stakeholes were located on the perimeter
        of the pit C.17. The stakeholes are likely to have formed a temporary structure in the vicinity of the
        pit. This may have been used for shelter or may have been linked to a structure associated with the pit.
        The trough was probably timber lined as stakeholes recorded in the corners of the rectangular trough
        would have formed part of the structure of a timber lining. The basal fills of the trough were sandy
        and may have accumulated from deposition of sand from the repeated use of heated sandstone in the
        trough.


        The mound C.3 overlay a trough, 2 large pits and a possible wooden structure. The trough was deeper
        than either of the large pits. A number of stakeholes were recorded on the upper side of the northern
        portion of the trough C.88 but there was no evidence to suggest that the trough was timber lined.
        Stakeholes in a similar and compatible position were recorded on the upper side of pit C.80. These
        stakeholes may have been linked to a similar structure associated with the trough and pit. A possible
        semi-circular structure was located to the northwest of the trough. The structure would have been
        constructed of wooden stakes with the entrance to the southwest. Alternatively the structure may have
        formed a shelter belt for the pit C.115 to the southwest.


        4.3       Radiocarbon results
        Radiocarbon dates were returned from the Radiocarbon Laboratory at Queens University Belfast. The
        two Early Bronze Age dates returned from Queens were accelerator dates obtained from samples of
        charcoal.

          Table 1
          Lab. Code            Sample Mate- Context No.             Yrs BP      Calibrated Dates
                               rial
                                                                                  2 sigma
          UB-6744              Charcoal             3               3561+/-38     cal BC 2023-1773
          UB-6718              Charcoal             50              3599+/-38     cal BC 2122-1828




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        4.4       Plant remains report
        The plant remains were examined by A. Brewer and P. Johnston (Appendix 4). Although all the sam-
        ples contained charcoal no charred seeds were recovered from the site. Charred seeds are consistently
        absent from burnt mound deposits.


        5         Discussion and Interpretation
        The site occurs within an area where a cluster of Bronze Age fulachta fiadh sites have been identified.
        Three burnt mounds were recorded (CO019-019, -020 and -021) within 500m of the site, while two
        other burnt mounds were excavated as part of this road project; Stagpark 2 (04E1121) was 800m away
        to the north and Mitchelstown 2 (04E1071) was 2km to the north. The intense use of this small area
        for the purposes of heating stones and water has produced a date range that suggests occupation on
        a long-term, if perhaps intermittent basis from at least the Early Bronze Age. The lower heavier wet-
        ter ground in the area was used for sites such as these. With the exception of the burnt mound at
        Mitchelstown 2, which was located on the northern bank of the Gradoge River, the remaining burnt
        mounds are not located adjacent to any known or contemporary water sources. The underlying subsoil
        is however a heavy clay which holds water very effectively being almost impermeable. The archaeo-
        logical evidence indicates that contemporary Early Bronze Age occupation occurred on the higher
        drier ground, at Stagpark 1 (04E1120) 600m to the north. An extensive occupation site, dating to the
        Middle Bronze Age, was located on a limestone ridge on the northern bank of the Gradoge River at
        Mitchelstown 1 (04E1072) 2.8km to the north.


        6         Assessment of archaeological and significance
        Viewed in tandem with the archaeological evidence from all of the sites on the route of the Mitch-
        elstown Relief Road, the site at Stagpark 3 is of archaeological significance as it provides additional
        evidence of Bronze Age activity in the Mitchelstown area.


        7         Conclusion
        The fulachta fiadh at Stagpark 3 was contemporaneous with the Early Bronze Age activity at Stagpark
        1 (04E1120) and with the ritual deposition of three pottery vessels on the northern bank of the Gra-
        doge River at Mitchelstown 2 (04E1071).




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        8         Bibliography
        Barry, T.B. 1987 The Archaeology of Medieval Ireland, Routledge, London and New York.

        Cotter, E. (2005) Bronze Age Ballybrowney County Cork in Recent Archaeological Discoveries on
              National Road Schemes 2004 NRA.

        Doody, M. (1995) The Clight Dubh in Discovery Programme Reports 2 Project Results 1993. Royal Irish
            Academy / Discovery Programme Dublin 1995.

        Doody, M. (1999), ‘Ballyhoura Hills project’, Discovery Programme Reports 5, 97-110. Royal Irish
            Academy. Dublin.

        Daly, A., Grogan, E. (1992) Excavation of Four Barrows in Mitchelstowndown West, Knocklong,
              County Limerick. Discovery Programme Reports 1 pp44-60. Royal Irish Academy.

        Gardiner, M.J., Radford, T. 1980 Soil Associations of Ireland and Their Land Use Potential. An Foras
             Talúntais.

        Kelly, M. (1989) Early Ireland, An Introduction to Irish Prehistory. Cambridge University Press.

        Monk, M. (1995) A Tale of Two Ringforts: Lisleagh I and II in Journal of the Cork Historical and
            Archaeological Society Vol. 100

        Power, B (1996) From the Danes to Dairygold A History of Mitchelstown. Mount Cashell Books.

        Power , B. 2000 White Knights, Dark Earls The Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Irish Dynasty. The Collins
             Press.

        Power, D., Lane, S., Egan, U., Byrne, E., Egan, U., Sleeman, M., with Cotter, E., Monk, J. (2000)
             Archaeological Inventory of County Cork Volume 4: North Cork Parts 1 and 2. The Stationery
             Office.

        Sleeman, D.G., McConnell, B. 1995 Geology of East Cork-Waterford Geological Survey of Ireland.

        NRA Archaeological Discoveries N8 Watergrasshill Bypass.

        NRA Archaeological Discoveries N8 Rathcormac Fermoy.

        Stout, M. (2000) The Irish Ringfort Four Courts Press Dublin.

        Waddell, J. (1998) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland. Galway University Press.

        Woodman, P.C. (1989) ‘The mesolithic in Munster: a preliminary assessment’, in Bonsall, C (ed), The
            Mesolithic in Europe, 116-24. John Donald. Edinburgh.


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        Woodman, P.C. (2000) ‘Hammers and Shoeboxes: New Agendas for Prehistory’ in New Agendas in Irish
            Prehistory. Papers in commemoration of Liz Anderson. Wordwell, 1-10.




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        9         Figures




       Figure 1: Portion of discovery map showing route of N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road.

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                            Legend
                           Bronze Age

                           Medieval

                           Post-medieval
                                                                    04E1072
                                                                    Mitchelstown 1




                                04E1071
                                Mitchelstown 2




                         04E1121
                         Stagpark 2




            04E1120
            Stagpark 1




                                  04E1119
                                  Spagpark 3




        Figure 2: Portion of RMP sheets CO019 & CO010 showing route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief
        Road.

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04E1119        Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road                                                        ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237




                                                                                                                            ell
                                                                                                                           W
                                                                                                                        ay
                                                                                                                      nd
                                                                                                                    Su
                                                                                                      Well Field


                                                                                                                        Yeomens Field




                                                                                                                                      A
                                                                                         Ballyarthur Field

                                                                                                                     Parkanimrish

                                                                     Clyroe Field
                                                       B
                              Glen Field
                                             C                                                                                     Limekiln Field
                                                                                            Donnellys Field

                                                D                    Laknock Field


                                                     Sandpit Field                                                                                  Deer Park
                               Garrane                                                                             Warren Field
                                                                                     New Orchard Park


                                                                                                     G                   ond
                                                                                                                   Fishp

                                                    High Field                                                                    Mitchelstown Castle



                                                                                                                             I
                               Brick Field
                                                           E

                                                                                                               H
                                                      Milk Field


                                   Turnpike Field                                    F                                                         J




                           Reference
                    Extent of Mitchelstown Demense
                    Line of N8, Mitchelstown Relief Road
          A         Barrett's Grove
          B         Old Pheasantry
          C         Farm Yard
          D         Kiltaunave Old Grave Yard
          E         Carriganoura Wood
          F         Whitegate Grove
          G         Orchard Grove
          H         Troopers Lough
          I         Site of Church & Graveyard
          J         Parkaphuca

        Figure 3: Portion of 1st edition maps sheets 10 & 19 showing Mitchelstown Demesne and the
        route of the N8 Mitchelstown Road.

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                                                                      Area A
                                                             Area B




        Figure 4: Route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road showing location of all archaeological sites.


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        Figure 5: Portion of route of N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road showing location of 04E1119.




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                                                                                                  X = 180277
                                                                                                  Y = 111401




                                                                                                       129
                                                                                     130                      128
                                                                              92

                                                                              131

                                                                                                  45                127

                                                                                90

                                                                                           132




                                                                                                  39
                                                                                           141          103


                                                                    60                                                   31
                                                                                                       102    37

                                                                                                              101
                                                                                8                                   100
                                                                                                                     27

                                                                                                                              25
                                                                         63

                                                                         58
                                                                               41
                                                                                    34
                                                                                                                    17
                                                                                 35
                                                                                    33            53 71                            11
                                                                                             51
                                                                                                                          49        20



                                                                                                                      23




                                                                                                  X = 180277
                                                                                                  Y = 111381

                                                                                                                                                   Extent of
                                                                                                                                                   mound C.4




                                                                                                             1m               0                                          5m




        Figure 6: Plan of extent of mound C.4.




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                                                                                                  129                                                 N
                                                                                                        128


                                                          130
                                                                                                                     A1
                                                            92
                                                    131
                                                              A
                                                                                            45                     127

                                                                  90


                                                                            132




                                                                                             39
                                                                                                  103
                                                                                       141

                                                                                                 102                  31
                                                    60                                                  37

                                            B1
                                                                                                        101
                                                                       8                                            100
                                                                                                                     27



                                                                                                                               25

                                                         63
                                                                  41
                                                         98                            33
                                                                       55
                                                                            34
                                                                                                               17
                                                                                        53
                                                                                       51        71                                   B
                                                                                                                                      11
                                                                                                                         49
                                                                                                                                          20




                                                                                                                                    23




          A                                       A1          B                                                                                            B1
                                                                           13                                                             9
                                                                                  14                          12
                             42                                   15                             18
                                                                   16                                                                             8
               43
                                            43                                                                 17
                                  45




                                                                                                                              50 cm           0       1m


        Figure 7: Post-excavation plan and sections of trough C.45 and pits C.8 and C.17.


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        Figure 8: Plan of extent of mound C.3.




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04E1119        Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road                                                                         ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237



                               05,29




                                                                                                                                                     N


                                                                                           A
                                                                                  85
                                                                            81
                                                                                         152

                                                                                   154     150
                                                                           156                   148




                                                                                                                          158



                                                                                                 88
                                                                            142




                                                                                          146

                                                                                                A1



                               05,20                                        84

                                                         122
                                                   121
                                B1           120
                                                       80
                                            119

                                            118                       B




                                                                                   A                                                                A1

                                                                                                             133
                                  B                                   B1
                                                                                                  134                               135
                                       93   79              95                                                     136
                                                                                          137                138
                                                                 94                                    139
                                                  80
                                                                                                             88




                                                                                                                  50 cm         0              1m



        Figure 9: Post-excavation plan and sections of trough C.88 and pit C.80.


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        10        Plates




             Plate 1: View of trough C.45 and pit C.8 and C.17 from north.




             Plate 2: View of stakeholes on northern side
                                   of pit C.17 from west.




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                       Plate 3: View of trough C.45 from east.




                                                                    Plate 4: View of area of mound C.3 post-
                                                                    excavation from south-west.




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            Plate 5: View of section of trough C.88 from east.




            Plate 6: View of pit C.80 and stakeholes C.118-C.122 from southeast.




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        11        Appendices
        11.1      Appendix 1: Matrices




                                                                     1

                                                                     47

                                                                     46

                                                                     4


          9         10         19         22         24         26        28   30            32                   36

          12        11         20         23         25         27        29   31                                 37
                                                                                    33       34        35
          18

          21

          8

          13

          14

          15

          16

          17


                                                                     2




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                                                        140


                                                                   141
                                                                   103
                                                                   102
                                                        99


                                                                   101
                                                                   100
                                                        70

                                                              71
                                                        66

                                                              67
                                                        64

                                                              65
                                                        61

                                                              62
                                         47

                                              46
                                    1




                                                   4




                                                                         2
                                                        59

                                                              60
                                                                   63
                                                        57


                                                                   58
                                                        52

                                                              53
                                                        50

                                                              51
                                                        48

                                                              49
                                                        40

                                                              41
                                                        38

                                                              39




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                                                                           1

                                                                          97

                                                                           3


     69         72        81         83         85                               93                               116               124

     68         74        82         84         86                               79                               115               125

                73                                                               95                               112               111

                75                                                               94                               117               114

                                                                                 123
                                                                                                                             113          110

                                                            118           119    120        121          122


                                                                                 80


                                                                                  2




                                                                     1

                                                                     97


                                        3                                                          133

                                      104                                                          134

                                                                                                   135
                105        106        107        108         109
                                                                                                   136

                                                                                                   137

                                                                                                   139


                                                                           159    157        155          153       151       149

                                                                           158    156        154          152       150       148


                                                                                                   88


                                                                     2




                                                                                        1


                                                       44                                                 54       143        147

                                                       42                                                 55       142        146

                                                       43                                                 56

                                                       87                                                 5


                89         91                                       126

                90         92
                                      127        128        129           130    131        132


                                                                    45


                                                                     2




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04E1119




                                                                    11.2     Appendix 2: Context Register

                                                                         Context #         Grid            Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                 Phase            Basic description               Artefacts
                                                                    1                All                                            All                      Topsoil                                    4           Loose brown silty clay topsoil with
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    occasional stone inclusions 0.35m
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    deep
                                                                    2                All                                                        All          Natural                                    1           Firm light grey/white clayey silt
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    with orange mottling and frequent
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    stone inclusions
                                                                    3                NW corner                                                               Number given to material from smaller      2           Loose dark grey/black clayey silt
                                                                                     of site                                                                 northwestern burnt mound. Shal-                        with frequent heat shattered stone
                                                                                                                                                             low nature of the mound compared                       inclusions. 15.4m x 14m
                                                                                                                                                             to trough size would indicate that the
                                                                                                                                                             mound was originally more substantial
                                                                    4                E side of site                                                          Number given to material from the          2           Loose black clayey silt with frequent




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                                                                                                                                                             larger southeastern burnt mound. Shal-                 inclusions of heat shattered stone.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                             low nature of the mound compared                       19.2m x 15.4m
                                                                                                                                                             to trough size would indicate that the
                                                                                                                                                             mound was originally more substantial
                                                                    5                5E25N                           54,55,56       2           56           Large pit in edge of excavation. The       ?           Sub-circular pit 5.5m x 3m x 1.4m
                                                                                                                                                             upper fills appeared to be modern but                  with gradual break of slope top and
                                                                                                                                                             the lower ones were of rich black burnt                concave and convex sides
                                                                                                                                                             mound material. Wet conditions and
                                                                                                                                                             rising water level meant that feature
                                                                                                                                                             could not be fully excavated. No finds
                                                                                                                                                             recovered and unsure as to date of pit
                                                                    6                                                                                        Cancelled context
                                                                    7                                                                                        Cancelled context
                                                                    8                20E9N                           9,12,18        13          21           Pit containing heat shattered stone        2           Sub-circular pit 1.9m x 1.55m x
                                                                                                                                                             that cuts through earlier pit C.17. Was                0.35m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                             located under the mound, suggesting                    slope top, steep sides, sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                             two phases of site use.                                slope base and flat base.
                                                                    9                20E9N            8                             12          4            Fill of later pit cut C.8. Contains heat   2           Loose black clayey silt with frequent
                                                                                                                                                             shattered stone                                        inclusions of charcoal and heat shat-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    tered stone.
                                                                    10               20E9N            11                            11          4            Stakehole fill, no stake present so        2           Firm dark brownish grey sandy clay
                                                                                                                                                             removed prior to infilling                             with frequent charcoal inclusions




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                                                                         Context #     Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                Phase            Basic description              Artefacts
                                                                    11               20E9N                   10             2           10           One of a number of stake and post         2           Circular stakehole 0.08m x 0.07m
                                                                                                                                                     holes surrounding intercutting pits C.                with sharp break of slope top,
                                                                                                                                                     8 and C.17                                            straight/concave sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                                                                                           break of slope base and rounded
                                                                                                                                                                                                           base
                                                                    12               20E9N    8                             18          9            Re-deposited natural fill of pit C.8      2           Moderately compact orange/brown
                                                                                                                                                                                                           sandy clay with moderate small
                                                                                                                                                                                                           stone inclusions 1.1m x 0.85m x
                                                                                                                                                                                                           0.25m deep
                                                                    13               20E9N    17                            14          8            Truncated fill of C.17                    2           Soft mid grey silty clay with oc-
                                                                                                                                                                                                           casional charcoal fleck inclusions.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           0.81m x 0.71m x 0.16m deep
                                                                    14               20E9N    17                            15          13           Truncated fill of C.17                    2           Compact yellowish orange clay with
                                                                                                                                                                                                           occasional small stone inclusions.




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                                                                                                                                                                                                           0.84m x 0.72m x 0.24m deep
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                    15               20E9N    17                            16          14           Truncated fill of C.17                    2           Soft dark grey clayey silt with oc-
                                                                                                                                                                                                           casional small stone and charcoal
                                                                                                                                                                                                           inclusions. 0.93m x 0.84m x 0.14m
                                                                                                                                                                                                           deep
                                                                    16               20E9N    17                            17          16           Truncated fill of C.17                    2           Soft yellowish orange sandy clay
                                                                                                                                                                                                           with occasional pebble inclusions.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           0.3m x 0.09m deep
                                                                    17               20E9N                   13, 14, 15, 16 2           16           Cut of large domestic pit, or possible    2           Sub-rectangular in shape, 4.15m
                                                                                                                                                     earlier phase trough. Infilled prior to               x 1.45m x 0.57m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                                     the build up of mound material as no                  break of slope top, vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                                     heat shattered stone is present in the                sharp break of slope base and flat
                                                                                                                                                     fill.                                                 base
                                                                    18               20E9N    8                             21          9            Fill of later pit cut C.8.                2           Loose black clayey silt with frequent
                                                                                                                                                                                                           charcoal and small to medium stone
                                                                                                                                                                                                           inclusions 1.75m x 1.1m x 0.32m
                                                                                                                                                                                                           deep
                                                                    19               20E9N    20                            20          4            Charcoal rich posthole fill               2           Firm dark grey/black sandy silt
                                                                                                                                                                                                           with moderate stone and frequent
                                                                                                                                                                                                           charcoal inclusions




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                                                                         Context #     Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                  Phase            Basic description               Artefacts
                                                                    20               20E9N                   19             2           19           The base of a driven post cut. Appears      2           Circular post cut 0.12m x 0.1m x
                                                                                                                                                     to have infilled prior to build-up of                   0.15m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                     mound                                                   slope top, concave sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                                                                                             break of slope base, rounded point
                                                                                                                                                                                                             and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    21               20E9N    8                             8           18           Redeposited natural fill of later pit cut   2           Loose orange grey sandy clay with
                                                                                                                                                     C.8.                                                    occasional small stone inclusions
                                                                                                                                                                                                             0.9m x 0.12m deep
                                                                    22               20E9N    23                            23          4            Charcoal rich posthole fill                 2           Firm dark grey/black sandy silt with
                                                                                                                                                                                                             frequent charcoal and occasional
                                                                                                                                                                                                             burnt stone inclusions
                                                                    23               20E9N                   22             2           22           Cut of driven post, one of a group of       2           Oval cut 0.15m x 0.13m x 0.19m
                                                                                                                                                     post and stakes surrounding pits C.8                    deep with sharp break of slope top,
                                                                                                                                                     and C.17                                                concave sides, gradual break of slope




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                                                                                                                                                                                                             base, rounded point and vertical
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                             inclination of axis
                                                                    24               20E9N    25                            25          4            Natural infilling of stakehole.             2           Soft dark grey sandy clay with oc-
                                                                                                                                                                                                             casional stone inclusions
                                                                    25               20E9N                   24             2           24           Cut of driven stake. One of a group of      2           Circular stakehole 0.07m x 0.06m
                                                                                                                                                     stake and posts surrounding                             x 0.12m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                                                                             slope top, vertical sides, pointed
                                                                                                                                                                                                             base and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    26               20E9N    27                            27          4            Fill of stakehole                           2           Loose medium grey sandy clay with
                                                                                                                                                                                                             occasional small stone inclusions
                                                                    27               20E9N                   26             2           26           Cut of driven stake. One of a group of      2           Oval cut 0.1m x 0.08m x 0.12m
                                                                                                                                                     stake and posts surrounding pits C.8                    deep with sharp break of slope top,
                                                                                                                                                     and C.17                                                vertical sides, sharp break of slope
                                                                                                                                                                                                             base, pointed base and vertical incli-
                                                                                                                                                                                                             nation of axis
                                                                    28               20E9N    29                            29          4            Infilling of stakehole                      2           Loose grey/black sandy clay with
                                                                                                                                                                                                             frequent small stone inclusions
                                                                    29               20E9N                   28             2           28           Cut of possible stake. One of a group   2               Circular cut 0.05m x 0.05m x
                                                                                                                                                     of stake and posts surrounding pits C.8                 0.04m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                     and C.17                                                slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                             of slope base, concave base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                             vertical inclination of axis




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                                                                         Context #     Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                Phase            Basic description               Artefacts
                                                                    30               20E9N    31                            31          4            Infilling of stakehole                    2           Loose dark brown sandy clay with
                                                                                                                                                                                                           no inclusions
                                                                    31               20E9N                   30             2           30           Cut of driven stake. One of a group of    2           Circular cut 0.06m x 0.06m x
                                                                                                                                                     stake and posts surrounding pits C.8                  0.11m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                     and C.17                                              slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                           of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                           vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    32               20E9N    33,34,35                      33,34,35    4            Infilling of three closely grouped        2           Soft dark grey silty clay with oc-
                                                                                                                                                     stakeholes                                            casional charcoal and small pebble
                                                                                                                                                                                                           inclusions
                                                                    33               20E9N                   32             2           32           Cut of driven stake. One of a group       2           Circular cut 0.07m x 0.065m x
                                                                                                                                                     of stake and posts surrounding. Filled                0.11m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                     with the same material as closely                     slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                     grouped stakes C.34 and C.35                          of slope base, pointed base and




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                                                                                                                                                                                                           vertical inclination of axis
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                    34               20E9N                   32             2           32           Cut of driven stake. One of a group of    2           Circular cut 0.1m x 0.09m x 0.2m
                                                                                                                                                     stake and posts surrounding pits C.8                  deep with gradual break of slope
                                                                                                                                                     and C.17. Filled with the same mate-                  top, steep and vertical sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                                     rial as closely grouped stakes C.33 and               break of slope base, tapered blunt
                                                                                                                                                     C.35                                                  base and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    35               20E9N                   32             2           32           Cut of driven stake. One of a group of    2           Circular cut 0.095m x 0.09m x
                                                                                                                                                     stake and posts surrounding pits C.8                  0.06m deep with gradual and
                                                                                                                                                     and C.17. Filled with the same mate-                  sharp break of slope top, vertical
                                                                                                                                                     rial as closely grouped stakes C.33 and               sides, gradual break of slope base,
                                                                                                                                                     C.34                                                  rounded point base and vertical
                                                                                                                                                                                                           inclination of axis
                                                                    36               20E9N    37                            37          4            Infilling of stakehole                    2           Loose grey/black sandy clay with
                                                                                                                                                                                                           occasional decayed stone inclusions
                                                                    37               20E9N                   36             2           36           Cut of driven stake. One of a group of    2           Circular cut 0.05m x 0.05m x
                                                                                                                                                     stakeholes surrounding pits C.8 and                   0.12m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                     C.17.                                                 slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                           of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                           vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    38               20E9N    38                            38          4            Infilling of stakehole                    2           Loose grey/brown sandy clay with
                                                                                                                                                                                                           no inclusions




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                                                                         Context #      Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                 Phase             Basic description              Artefacts
                                                                    39               20E9N                    38             2           38           Cut of driven stake. One of a group of    2            Circular stakehole cut 0.1m x 0.1m
                                                                                                                                                      stake and posts surrounding pits C.8                   x 0.12m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                      and C.17.                                              slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                             of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                             vertical inclination of axis.
                                                                    40               20E9N     41                            41          4            Infilling of stakehole                    2            Soft black silty clay with occasional
                                                                                                                                                                                                             charcoal and sub angular pebble
                                                                                                                                                                                                             inclusions
                                                                    41               20E9N                    40             2           40           Driven stake cut. One of a number of      2            Oval cut 0.075m x 0.07m x 0.08m
                                                                                                                                                      stakes and posts surrounding pits C.8                  deep with sharp break of slope top,
                                                                                                                                                      and C.17                                               vertical sides, gradual break of slope
                                                                                                                                                                                                             base and rounded point
                                                                    42               20E14N    45                            43          44           Infill of trough C.45. This appears to     3           Moderately compact light brown/
                                                                                                                                                      be natural material that has slumped in                orange silty clay with occasional




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                                                                                                                                                      to the cut, altering the original shape of             medium sized stone inclusions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                      the sides
                                                                    43               20E14N    45                            87          42           Burnt mound material located in            3           Loose black sandy clay with medi-
                                                                                                                                                      the base of trough C.45. The small                     um heat shattered stone inclusions.
                                                                                                                                                      amount in the base would seem to
                                                                                                                                                      have accumulated shortly after use as
                                                                                                                                                      it lay underneath the slumped natural
                                                                                                                                                      material C.42
                                                                    44               20E14N    45                            42          4            Peat layer that had accumulated in the 3               Moderately compact dark brown-
                                                                                                                                                      trough after use and subsequent slump-                 ish black organic peat with very
                                                                                                                                                      ing of natural material                                occasional small stone and frequent
                                                                                                                                                                                                             organic inclusions
                                                                    45               20E14N                   42,43,44,87    2           87           Cut of rectangular trough located at     2             Sub-rectangular cut 2.02m x 1.45m
                                                                                                                                                      the northern edge of mound C. 4. Con-                  x 0.65m deep with rounded corners,
                                                                                                                                                      tained post and stakeholes in the four                 sharp break of slope top, concave
                                                                                                                                                      corners. There was a very thin and frag-               sides, sharp break of slope base and
                                                                                                                                                      ile possible wooden plank located in the               flat base.
                                                                                                                                                      base, suggesting a timber lining. The
                                                                                                                                                      size of the trough would indicate that
                                                                                                                                                      the mound was much more substantial
                                                                                                                                                      originally. high water table meant that
                                                                                                                                                      the trough filled with water naturally




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                                                                         Context #      Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                 Phase            Basic description              Artefacts
                                                                    46               20E14N                                  4           1            This layer represents the build up of      3           Moderately compact dark brown/
                                                                                                                                                      peat after the on-site bronze age activity             black peat with frequent organic
                                                                                                                                                      and is situated across the northwestern                inclusions
                                                                                                                                                      portion of the mound
                                                                    47               20E14N                                  4                        Number given to modern field drain         4           Linear SE-NW orientated field
                                                                                                                                                                                                             drain running across site
                                                                    48               20E9N     49                            49          4            Infilling of stakehole                     2           Moderately compact mid grey/
                                                                                                                                                                                                             brown sandy clay with occasional
                                                                                                                                                                                                             small stone and charcoal inclusions
                                                                    49               20E9N                    48             2           48           Cut of driven stake located to the south 2             Oval cut 0.06m x 0.03m x 0.07m
                                                                                                                                                      of pits C.8 and C.17. One of a number                  deep with sharp break of slope top,
                                                                                                                                                      of posts and stakes surrounding these                  convex sides, gradual break of slope
                                                                                                                                                      pits                                                   base, rounded base and a south to
                                                                                                                                                                                                             north inclination of axis




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                                                                    50               20E9N     51                            51          4            Stakehole fill                             2           Soft light grey clayey silt with oc-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                             casional charcoal flecks
                                                                    51               20E9N                    50             2           50           Cut of driven stake. One of a number       2           Sub-circular stakehole 0.075m x
                                                                                                                                                      of stakes and posts that surround pits                 0.07m x 0.14m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                                      C.8 and C.17                                           break of slope, vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                                                                                             gradual break of slope base, pointed
                                                                                                                                                                                                             base and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    52               20E9N     53                            53          4            Infilling of stakehole around pits C. 8 2              Soft dark grey clayey silt with no
                                                                                                                                                      and C.17                                               inclusions
                                                                    53               20E9N                    52             2           52           Cut of driven stake located to the south 2             Oval stakehole 0.065m x 0.09m
                                                                                                                                                      of pits C.8 and C.17. One of a number                  x 0.06m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                      of posts and stakes surrounding these                  slope, vertical sides, gradual break
                                                                                                                                                      pits                                                   of slope base, rounded blunt point
                                                                                                                                                                                                             and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    54               5E25N     5                             55          1            Upper fill of large waterlogged pit C.5.   ?           Moderately compact light orange
                                                                                                                                                                                                             brown silty clay with occasional
                                                                                                                                                                                                             organic inclusions. 0.25m deep
                                                                    55               5E25N     5                             56          54           Peat like deposit in pit C.5. This was     ?           Firm/wet grey/brown organic mate-
                                                                                                                                                      the most substantial deposit in the                    rial like not fully formed peat with
                                                                                                                                                      section.                                               organic inclusions. 0.5m deep.




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                                                                         Context #     Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation               Phase            Basic description               Artefacts
                                                                    56               5E25N    5                             5           55           Lower fill of pit C.5. This was mound    ?           Soft loose waterlogged black silty
                                                                                                                                                     material. Depth was unknown as                       coarse sand and heat shattered
                                                                                                                                                     even with pump water rose too fast to                stone. Depth unknown
                                                                                                                                                     excavate.
                                                                    57               20E9N    58,63                         58,63       4            Infilling of stakehole                   2           Soft dark grey clayey silt with oc-
                                                                                                                                                                                                          casional charcoal flecking and small
                                                                                                                                                                                                          stone inclusions
                                                                    58               20E9N                   57             2           57           Cut of driven stakehole. One of a        2           Sub-oval stakehole cut 0.145m
                                                                                                                                                     number of stakeholes surrounding pits                x 0.115m x 0.22m deep with
                                                                                                                                                     C. 8 and C.17                                        sharp break of slope top, vertical
                                                                                                                                                                                                          sides, gradual break of slope base,
                                                                                                                                                                                                          rounded point and vertical inclina-
                                                                                                                                                                                                          tion of axis
                                                                    59               10E9N    60                            60          4            Infilling of stakehole.                  2           Moderately compact brownish grey




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                                                                                                                                                                                                          silty clay with no inclusions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                    60                                       59             2           59           Cut of driven stake. One of a number     2           Circular stakehole 0.08m square
                                                                                                                                                     of stakes and posts that surround pits               x 0.13m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                     C.8 and C.17                                         slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                          of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                          vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    61                        62                            62          4            Infilling of stakehole                   2           Moderately compact brownish grey
                                                                                                                                                                                                          sandy clay with occasional small
                                                                                                                                                                                                          stone inclusions
                                                                    62                                       61             2           61           Cut of driven stake. One of a number     2           Circular stakehole 0.08m x 0.07m
                                                                                                                                                     of stakes and posts that surround pits               x 0.07m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                     C.8 and C.17                                         slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                          of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                          vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    63               20E9N                   57             2           57           Cut of driven stake. One of a number     2           Sub-circular stakehole 0.1m square
                                                                                                                                                     of stakes surrounding pits C.8 and                   x 0.13m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                     C.17                                                 slope top, vertical sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                                                                                          break of slope base, rounded point
                                                                                                                                                                                                          and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    64                        65                            65          4            Infilling of stakehole                   2           Soft dark grey silty clay with occa-
                                                                                                                                                                                                          sional charcoal fleck inclusions




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                                                                         Context #   Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                Phase            Basic description              Artefacts
                                                                    65                                     64             2           64           Cut of driven stake located to the west   2           Oval stakehole 0.1m x 0.085m x
                                                                                                                                                   of pits C.8 and C.17. One of a number                 0.07m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                   of posts and stakes surrounding these                 slope, vertical sides, gradual break
                                                                                                                                                   pits                                                  of slope base, rounded blunt point
                                                                                                                                                                                                         and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    66                      67                            67          4            Infilling of stakehole                    2           Soft mid grey clayey silt with occa-
                                                                                                                                                                                                         sional charcoal fleck inclusions
                                                                    67                                     66             2           66           Cut of driven stake located to the south 2            Sub-circular stakehole 0.115m x
                                                                                                                                                   of pits C.8 and C.17. One of a number                 0.1m x 0.16m deep with sharp break
                                                                                                                                                   of posts and stakes surrounding these                 of slope top, vertical sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                                   pits                                                  break of slope base, rounded point
                                                                                                                                                                                                         and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    68                                     69             2           69           Cut of small shallow pit with no dis-     2           Oval pit cut 0.48m x 0.41m x 0.2m
                                                                                                                                                   cernible function                                     deep with sharp break of slope,




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                                                                                                                                                                                                         vertical concave sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                         of slope base and flat base
                                                                    69                      68                            68          3            Natural infilling of small shallow pit    3           Moderately compact dark brown-
                                                                                                                                                                                                         ish grey sandy silt with occasional
                                                                                                                                                                                                         decayed stone inclusions
                                                                    70                      71                            71          4            Infilling of driven post                  2           Moderately hard mid grey clayey
                                                                                                                                                                                                         silt with frequent charcoal and
                                                                                                                                                                                                         occasional burnt stone inclusions.
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Charcoal located mainly in the
                                                                                                                                                                                                         centre of the cut
                                                                    71                                     70             2           70           Cut of driven post located to the south   2           Sub-circular posthole 0.15m x
                                                                                                                                                   of pits C.8 and C.17. One of a number                 0.14m x 0.22m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                                   of stakes and posts that surround these               break of slope top, concave sides,
                                                                                                                                                   two pits                                              sharp break of slope base, V-shaped
                                                                                                                                                                                                         base and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    72                      74                            74          1            Infilling of shallow pit                  2           Soft black silty clay with frequent
                                                                                                                                                                                                         burnt stone inclusions
                                                                    73                      75                            75          74           Infilling of posthole. Truncated by pit   2           Soft dark grey clayey silt with oc-
                                                                                                                                                   C.74                                                  casional small stone and charcoal
                                                                                                                                                                                                         inclusions. 0.93m x 0.84m x 0.14m
                                                                                                                                                                                                         deep




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                                                                         Context #   Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                Phase            Basic description               Artefacts
                                                                    74                                     72             73          72           Cut of shallow pit of unknown pur-        2           Circular pit 0.32m x 0.31m x 0.2m
                                                                                                                                                   pose. Truncates posthole C.75                         deep with sharp, gradual and im-
                                                                                                                                                                                                         perceptible break of slope top, steep
                                                                                                                                                                                                         sides, gradual break of slope base
                                                                                                                                                                                                         and flat base
                                                                    75                                     73             2           73           Cut of posthole in close proximity to a   2           Sub-circular pit 0.66m x 0.45m x
                                                                                                                                                   number of stakeholes. Cut by shallow                  0.41m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                   pit C.74                                              slope top, steep and vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                                                                                         gradual break of slope base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                         rounded point
                                                                    76                                                                             Cancelled context
                                                                    77                                                                             Cancelled context
                                                                    78                                                                             Cancelled context
                                                                    79                      80                            95          93           Infilling of domestic pit                 3           Moderately compact dark grey




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                                                                                                                                                                                                         sandy silt with decayed stone and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                         charcoal inclusions
                                                                    80                                     79,93,94,95    2           94           Cut of possible domestic pit. Truncated 2             Rectangular pit with rounded
                                                                                                                                                   on the southern side by a modern field                corners1.35m x 1.1m x 0.3m deep
                                                                                                                                                   drain. The northern side contained five               with sharp break of slope top, verti-
                                                                                                                                                   equally spaced stakeholes in the base.                cal concave sides, gradual break of
                                                                                                                                                   These are assumed to be associated                    slope base and flat rectangular base
                                                                                                                                                   with the pit somehow
                                                                    81                      82                            82          3            Natural infilling of stakehole.         3             Soft mid brownish grey clayey sand
                                                                                                                                                                                                         with no inclusions
                                                                    82                                     81             2           81           Driven stakehole on the northern edge     2           Circular stakehole 0.11m square
                                                                                                                                                   of trough 6                                           x 0.19m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                                                                         slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                         of slope base, v-shaped base and east
                                                                                                                                                                                                         to west inclination of axis
                                                                    83                      84                            84          3            Infilling of stakehole                    2           Soft light grey sandy clay with no
                                                                                                                                                                                                         inclusions
                                                                    84                                     83             2           83           Cut of driven stakehole located under     2           Sub-circular stakehole 0.11m x
                                                                                                                                                   mound C.3                                             0.1m x 0.15m deep with sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                         of slope top, vertical sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                                                                                         break of slope base, pointed base
                                                                                                                                                                                                         and vertical inclination of axis




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                                                                         Context #   Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                Phase            Basic description               Artefacts
                                                                    85                      86                            86          3            Infilling of stakehole on northern edge 2             Compact dark grey fine sand with
                                                                                                                                                   of trough 6. Located under mound C.3                  no inclusions
                                                                    86                                     85             2           85           Cut of stakehole on northern edge of    2             Oval stakehole 0.13m x 0.08m x
                                                                                                                                                   trough C.6                                            0.12m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                                                                         slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                         of slope base, uneven base and west-
                                                                                                                                                                                                         east inclination of axis
                                                                    87                      45                            45          43           Possible patchy remains of timber sur- 2              Mostly orange/brown. Fairly flat in
                                                                                                                                                   face in trough C.45. The wood was so                  plan. V wet and brittle, completely
                                                                                                                                                   decayed that it remained only as a thin               saturated. 1.27m x 0.45m x 0.02m
                                                                                                                                                   piece of almost brown staining at the                 deep
                                                                                                                                                   base of the trough
                                                                    88                                     133, 134,     2            139          Cut of oval trough for mound C.3. Lo- 2               Oval trough 2.75m x 2m x 0.8m            Single
                                                                                                           135, 136,                               cated on the eastern edge of the mound                with gradual break of slope top,         piece of




Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/04e1119-stagpark3/
                                                                                                           137, 138, 139                                                                                 steep sides, sharp break of slope        worked
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                         base and flat base                       flint
                                                                    89                      90                            90,45       87           Infilling of stakehole                   3            Loose wet greyish black fine silty
                                                                                                                                                                                                         sand
                                                                    90                                     89             45          89           Cut of driven stake/post in northwest     2           Sub-circular stakehole 0.13m square
                                                                                                                                                   corner of trough C.45. Similar features               x 0.22m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                   are located in the other three corners of             slope top, steep sides, sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                   the trough suggesting they supported                  slope base, v-shaped base and verti-
                                                                                                                                                   some form of structure                                cal inclination of axis
                                                                    91                      92                            92          87           Infilling of stakehole                    3           Loose wet greyish brown silty sand
                                                                                                                                                                                                         with no inclusions
                                                                    92                                     91             45          91           Cut of driven stake in southwest corner 2             Sub-circular stakehole cut 0.09m
                                                                                                                                                   of trough C.45. Similar features located              x 0.07m x 0.18m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                                   in the other three corners would sug-                 break of slope top, vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                                   gest a supported structure of some form               sharp break of slope base, rounded
                                                                                                                                                                                                         point and slight south-north incli-
                                                                                                                                                                                                         nation of axis
                                                                    93                      80                            79          3            Infill of domestic pit C.80.             3            Firm black silty sand 0.4m deep
                                                                                                                                                                                                         with burnt stone inclusions
                                                                    94                      80                            123         95           Infill of domestic pit C.80.             3            Soft mid grey clayey silt with stone
                                                                                                                                                                                                         inclusions 0.09m deep




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                                                                         Context #   Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                Phase             Basic description              Artefacts
                                                                    95                      80                            94          79           Infill of domestic pit C.80.              3           Loose mid brownish grey coarse
                                                                                                                                                                                                         sand with decayed stone inclusions
                                                                                                                                                                                                         0.3m deep
                                                                    96                                                                             Cancelled context
                                                                    97                                     98             3           1            Number given to plough furrow. Cuts 4                 Linear plough furrow 0.12m wide
                                                                                                                                                   through mound C.3 and southern edge                   x 0.1m deep filled with sub angular
                                                                                                                                                   of domestic pit C.80                                  stones
                                                                    98                                                                             Cancelled context
                                                                    99                      100, 101,                     100, 101, 4              Fill of four closely grouped stakeholes 2             Loose mid grey sandy clay with
                                                                                            102, 103,                     102, 103,                on the northern edge of pit C.17                      occasional small stone and charcoal
                                                                                            141                           141                                                                            inclusions
                                                                    100                                    99             2         99             Stakehole cut to the north of pit C.17.   2           Irregular stakehole cut 0.1m x 0.1m
                                                                                                                                                   One of a number of posts and stakes                   x 0.09m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                   that surround pits C.8 and C.17                       slope top, steep and vertical sides,




Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/04e1119-stagpark3/
                                                                                                                                                                                                         gradual break of slope base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                         rounded base
                                                                    101                                    99             2           99           Stakehole cut to the north of pit C.17.   2           Oval stakehole 0.08m x 0.06m x
                                                                                                                                                   One of a number of posts and stakes                   0.12m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                   that surround pits C.8 and C.17                       slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                         of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                         vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    102                                    99             2           99           Stakehole cut to the north of pit C.17.   2           Circular stakehole 0.07m x 0.07m
                                                                                                                                                   One of a number of posts and stakes                   x 0.16m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                   that surround pits C.8 and C.17                       slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                         of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                         vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    103                                    99             2           99           Stakehole cut to the north of pit C.17.   2           Circular stakehole 0.05m x 0.05m
                                                                                                                                                   One of a number of posts and stakes                   x 0.09m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                                   that surround pits C.8 and C.17                       slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                                                                                         of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                         vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    104                     105, 106,                     105, 106, 3              Infilling of stakehole a number of        2           Soft greyish black silty clay with
                                                                                            107, 108,                     107, 108,                closely grouped stakeholes                            occasional pebble and charcoal
                                                                                            109                           109                                                                            inclusions




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                                                                      Context #   Grid     Fill of    Filled with       Above     Below             Basic Interpretation                   Phase            Basic description              Artefacts
                                                                    105                              104            2           104       Cut of driven stake under what would         2           Circular stakehole 0.11m x 0.11m
                                                                                                                                          have been the eastern edge of mound                      x 0.12m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                          C.3. One of a number of stakeholes in                    slope top, vertical sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                          this area                                                break of slope base, pointed base
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    106                              104            2           104       Cut of driven stake under what would         2           Oval stakehole 0.16m x 0.12m x
                                                                                                                                          have been the eastern edge of mound                      0.1m deep with sharp break of slope
                                                                                                                                          C.3. One of a number of stakeholes in                    top, vertical sides, gradual break of
                                                                                                                                          this area                                                slope base, rounded point and verti-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   cal inclination of axis
                                                                    107                              104            2           104       Cut of driven stake under what would         2           Sub-circular stakehole 0.12m x
                                                                                                                                          have been the eastern edge of mound                      0.12m x 0.14m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                          C.3. One of a number of stakeholes in                    break of slope top, vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                          this area                                                gradual break of slope base,




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                                                                                                                                                                                                   rounded point and vertical inclina-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   tion of axis
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                    108                              104            2           104       Cut of driven stake under what would         2           Cut of oval stakehole 0.14m x
                                                                                                                                          have been the eastern edge of mound                      0.125m x 0.15m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                          C.3. One of a number of stakeholes in                    break of slope top, vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                          this area                                                gradual break of slope base,
                                                                                                                                                                                                   rounded point and vertical inclina-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   tion of axis
                                                                    109                              104            2           104       Cut of driven stake under what would         2           Circular stakehole with gradual
                                                                                                                                          have been the eastern edge of mound                      break of slope top and base, vertical
                                                                                                                                          C.3. One of a number of stakeholes in                    sides, pointed base and vertical
                                                                                                                                          this area                                                inclination of axis
                                                                    110                              111, 114       2           114       Cut of possible domestic pit. Cut by         2           Sub-oval pit 1.02m x 0.5m x 0.24m
                                                                                                                                          posthole C.125                                           deep with gradual break of slope top
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and base, gradual and steep sides
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and flat base
                                                                    111                  110, 113                   114         125       Infilling of possible domestic pit and       2           Soft black clayey silt 0.14m deep
                                                                                                                                          posthole. Infilled prior to on-site activ-               with moderate charcoal sandstone
                                                                                                                                          ity as cut by posthole C.125                             inclusions
                                                                    112                  117                        117         115       Infilling of posthole, cut by pit C.115      2           Unknown




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                                                                      Context #   Grid     Fill of    Filled with       Above       Below             Basic Interpretation                 Phase            Basic description            Artefacts
                                                                    113                              111, 114       2           114         Posthole cut in close proximity to a      2            Sub-circular posthole 0.21m x 0.2m Flint
                                                                                                                                            number of other stakeholes                             x 0.23m deep with sharp break of       Flake
                                                                                                                                                                                                   slope top, vertical sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                                                                                   break of slope base, rounded blunt
                                                                                                                                                                                                   point and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    114                  110, 113                   110, 113    111         Infilling of possible domestic pit and     2           Soft mid brown silty clay 0.1m deep
                                                                                                                                            posthole. Infilled prior to on-site activ-             with occasional pebble and charcoal
                                                                                                                                            ity as cut by posthole C.125                           fleck inclusions
                                                                    115                              116            112         116         Cut of possible domestic pit. Truncates 2              Sub-oval pit 2.6m x 1.1m x 0.35m
                                                                                                                                            posthole C.117                                         deep with gradual break of slope top
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and base, gently sloping sides and
                                                                                                                                                                                                   flat base
                                                                    116                  115                        115         3           Infilling of possible domestic pit        2            Firm black clayey silt with burnt
                                                                                                                                                                                                   stone and charcoal inclusions




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                                                                    117                              112            2           112         Driven posthole cut truncated by pit      2            Circular posthole 0.35m x 0.35m
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                            C.115                                                  x 0.31m deep with gradual break
                                                                                                                                                                                                   of slope top and base, vertical sides
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and rounded blunt point
                                                                    118                              123            80          123         One of a number of equally spaced         2            Circular stakehole 0.05m x 0.05m
                                                                                                                                            stakeholes within the northern edge of                 x 0.09m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                            pit C.80                                               slope top and base, vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                                                                                   pointed base and vertical inclina-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   tion of axis
                                                                    119                              123            80          123         One of a number of equally spaced         2            Circular stakehole 0.06m x 0.06m
                                                                                                                                            stakeholes within the northern edge of                 x 0.13m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                            pit C.80                                               slope top and base, vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                                                                                   pointed base and vertical inclina-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   tion of axis
                                                                    120                              123            80          123         One of a number of equally spaced         2            Circular stakehole 0.05m x 0.05m
                                                                                                                                            stakeholes within the northern edge of                 x 0.06m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                            pit C.80                                               slope, vertical sides, pointed base
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    121                              123            80          123         One of a number of equally spaced         2            Circular stakehole 0.07m x 0.07m
                                                                                                                                            stakeholes within the northern edge of                 x 0.12m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                            pit C.80                                               slope, vertical sides, pointed base
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and vertical inclination of axis




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                                                                      Context #   Grid     Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation                Phase            Basic description               Artefacts
                                                                    122                              123            80          123          One of a number of equally spaced         2           Oval stakehole 0.06m x 0.04m x
                                                                                                                                             stakeholes within the northern edge of                0.05m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                             pit C.80                                              slope, vertical sides, pointed base
                                                                                                                                                                                                   and vertical inclination of axis
                                                                    123                  118, 119,                  118, 119, 94             Infilling of a number of stakeholes       2           Soft light brownish grey silty clay
                                                                                         130, 121,                  130, 121,                located along the base of pit C.80                    with no inclusions
                                                                                         122                        122
                                                                    124                  125                        125       3              Infilling of driven posthole              2           Soft dark grey silty clay with oc-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   casional pebble inclusions
                                                                    125                              124            2           111          Cut of driven posthole that truncates     2           Circular posthole 0.17m x 0.15m x
                                                                                                                                             earlier pit C.110                                     0.2m deep with sharp break of slope
                                                                                                                                                                                                   top, vertical sides, gradual break of
                                                                                                                                                                                                   slope base and rounded point
                                                                    126                  127, 128                   127         43           Infilling of stakeholes within the base   2           Soft wet black sandy silt with oc-




Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/04e1119-stagpark3/
                                                                                                                                             of trough C.45                                        casional stone and frequent charcoal
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                   inclusions
                                                                    127                              126            45          126          Cut of stakehole located in southeast   2             Circular stakehole 0.08m x 0.08m
                                                                                                                                             corner of trough C.45. Similar features               x 0.18m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                             in the other corners would suggest a                  slope top and base, vertical sides
                                                                                                                                             supported structure of some kind                      and pointed base, with vertical
                                                                                                                                                                                                   inclination of axis
                                                                    128                              126            45          126          Cut of stakehole located in southeast   2             Circular stakehole cut 0.06m x
                                                                                                                                             corner of trough C.45. Similar features               0.06m x 0.16m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                             in the other corners would suggest a                  break of slope top and base, vertical
                                                                                                                                             supported structure of some kind                      sides, pointed base and vertical
                                                                                                                                                                                                   inclination of axis
                                                                    129                              126            45          126          Cut of stakehole located in northeast   2             Sub-circular stakehole 0.08m x
                                                                                                                                             corner of trough C.45. Similar features               0.07m x 0.16m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                             in the other corners would suggest a                  break of slope top, and base, vertical
                                                                                                                                             supported structure of some kind                      sides, pointed base and nearly verti-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   cal inclination of axis
                                                                    130                              126            45          126          Cut of stakehole located in southeast   2             Circular stakehole 0.04m x 0.04m
                                                                                                                                             corner of trough C.45. Similar features               x 0.11m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                             in the other corners would suggest a                  slope top, vertical sides, sharp break
                                                                                                                                             supported structure of some kind                      of slope base, pointed base and
                                                                                                                                                                                                   vertical inclination of axis




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                                                                      Context #   Grid        Fill of    Filled with       Above       Below            Basic Interpretation               Phase            Basic description            Artefacts
                                                                    131                                 126            45          126         Cut of stakehole located in southeast   2           Sub-circular stakehole 0.05m x
                                                                                                                                               corner of trough C.45. Similar features             0.04m x 0.1m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                               in the other corners would suggest a                break of slope top and base, vertical
                                                                                                                                               supported structure of some kind                    sides, pointed base and vertical
                                                                                                                                                                                                   inclination of axis
                                                                    132                                 126            45          126         Cut of stakehole located in southeast   2           Circular stakehole 0.06m x 0.06m
                                                                                                                                               corner of trough C.45. Similar features             x 0.14m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                               in the other corners would suggest a                slope top and base, vertical sides,
                                                                                                                                               supported structure of some kind                    pointed base and vertical inclina-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   tion of axis
                                                                    133                  88                            134         2           Upper fill of trough C.88. Located to   3           Loose dark brown /black sand clay Single
                                                                                                                                               the east of mound. Although does not                with 50% heat shattered stone         piece of
                                                                                                                                               lie under the mound it does contain                 inclusions 0.3m deep                  worked
                                                                                                                                               hest shattered stone                                                                      flint




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                                                                    134                  88                            135         133         Fill of trough C.88                     3           Friable grey sandy silt with charcoal
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                   and small stone inclusions 0.19m
                                                                                                                                                                                                   deep
                                                                    135                  88                            136         134         Fill of trough C.88                     3           Loose red/black gritty sand with
                                                                                                                                                                                                   iron panning and small pebble
                                                                                                                                                                                                   inclusions 0.04m deep
                                                                    136                  88                            137         135         Fill of trough C.88                     3           Loose medium to dark grey silty
                                                                                                                                                                                                   clay with burnt stone and charcoal
                                                                                                                                                                                                   inclusions 0.22m deep
                                                                    137                  88                            138         136         Fill of trough C.88                     3           Loose wet brown organic layer
                                                                                                                                                                                                   with charcoal and wood inclusions
                                                                                                                                                                                                   0.04m deep
                                                                    138                  88                            139         137         Fill of trough C.88                     3           Loose grey/red gritty sandy layer
                                                                                                                                                                                                   with 90% large stone inclusions
                                                                                                                                                                                                   0.18m deep
                                                                    139                  88                            88          138         Fill of trough C.88                     3           Loose grey brown sandy silt with
                                                                                                                                                                                                   small stone inclusions 0.12m deep
                                                                    140                                                2           4           Material located in shallow depression 2            Moderately compact dark grey
                                                                                                                                               along northwestern edge of mound C.4                sandy clay with occasional small
                                                                                                                                                                                                   stone and charcoal inclusions.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   1.45m x 1.3m x 0.2m deep




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                                                                      Context #   Grid     Fill of    Filled with       Above        Below             Basic Interpretation               Phase             Basic description               Artefacts
                                                                    141                              99             2           99           Cut of driven stake located on the       2           Oval cut 0.08m x 0.06m x 0.12m
                                                                                                                                             northern side of pit C.17. One of a                  deep with sharp break of slope top
                                                                                                                                             number of stakes and posts surround-                 and base, vertical sides and pointed
                                                                                                                                             ing pits C.8 and C.17                                base.
                                                                    142                              143            2           143          Cut of posthole located in close         2           Circular posthole 0.12m x 0.1m x
                                                                                                                                             proximity and possibly associated with               0.4m deep with sharp break of slope
                                                                                                                                             trough C. 88                                         , vertical sides and pointed base.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  South to north inclination of axis
                                                                    143                  142                        142         1            Infilling of posthole                    3           Light brown silty clay with no
                                                                                                                                                                                                  inclusions
                                                                    144                                                                      Cancelled context
                                                                    145                                                                      Cancelled context
                                                                    146                              147            2           147          Cut of posthole located in close         2           Circular posthole 0.1m x 0.1m x
                                                                                                                                             proximity and possibly associated with               0.24m deep with sharp break of




Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/04e1119-stagpark3/
                                                                                                                                             trough C.88                                          slope, vertical sides and pointed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                                                                                                                                                  base
                                                                    147                  146                        146         1            Infilling of stakehole                   3           Malleable brown silty clay with very
                                                                                                                                                                                                  occasional pebble inclusions
                                                                    148                              149            88          149          Cut of stakehole located within top of   2           Sub-circular stakehole 0.07m x
                                                                                                                                             cut for trough C.88, suggesting a sup-               0.05m x 0.2m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                             ported structure of some kind                        break of slope, vertical sides and flat
                                                                                                                                                                                                  base
                                                                    149                  148                        148         139          Infilling of stakehole                   3           Friable brown silty clay with no
                                                                                                                                                                                                  inclusions
                                                                    150                              151            88          151          Cut of stakehole located within top of   2           Oval stakehole cut 0.13m x 0.1m
                                                                                                                                             cut for trough C.88, suggesting a sup-               x 0.24m deep with sharp break
                                                                                                                                             ported structure of some kind                        of slope, steep sides and rounded
                                                                                                                                                                                                  point, with vertical inclination of
                                                                                                                                                                                                  axis
                                                                    151                  150                        150         139          Infilling of stakehole                   3           Light grey sandy silt with occasional
                                                                                                                                                                                                  pebble inclusions
                                                                    152                              153            88          153          Cut of stakehole located within top of   2           Sub-circular stakehole 0.07m x
                                                                                                                                             cut for trough C.88, suggesting a sup-               0.06m x 0.07m deep with sharp
                                                                                                                                             ported structure of some kind                        break of slope, straight sides and
                                                                                                                                                                                                  pointed base




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                                                                      Context #   Grid     Fill of    Filled with    Above     Below             Basic Interpretation               Phase            Basic description             Artefacts
                                                                    153                  152                        152      139       Infilling of stakehole                   3           Sticky grey clay with occasional
                                                                                                                                                                                            small pebble inclusions
                                                                    154                              155            88       155       Cut of stakehole located within top of   2           Oval stakehole 0.07m x 0.05m x
                                                                                                                                       cut for trough C.88, suggesting a sup-               0.09m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                       ported structure of some kind                        slope, vertical sides and pointed
                                                                                                                                                                                            base
                                                                    155                  154                        154      139       Infilling of stakehole                   3           Wet sticky grey clay with occasional
                                                                                                                                                                                            pebble inclusions
                                                                    156                              157            88       157       Cut of stakehole located within top of   2           Oval stakehole 0.1m x 0.07m x
                                                                                                                                       cut for trough C.88, suggesting a sup-               0.29m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                       ported structure of some kind                        slope top, vertical sides, gradual
                                                                                                                                                                                            break of slope base and rounded
                                                                                                                                                                                            point
                                                                    157                  156                        156      139       Infilling of stakehole                   3           Malleable brown silty clay with very




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                                                                                                                                                                                            occasional pebble inclusions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road




                                                                    158                              159            88       159       Cut of stakehole located within top of   2           Circular stakehole 0.08m x 0.08m
                                                                                                                                       cut for trough C.88, suggesting a sup-               x 0.16m deep with sharp break of
                                                                                                                                       ported structure of some kind                        slope, vertical sides and pointed
                                                                                                                                                                                            base
                                                                    159                  158                        158      139       Infilling of stakehole                   3           Soft reddish brown sandy silt




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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237
04E1119        Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road                             ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237



        11.3      Appendix 3: Context Register

        Find number                                      Period               Artefact type
        04E1119:113:01                                   prehistoric          Flint flake




        11.4      Appendix 4: Charred plant remains from Stagpark 3, Co. Cork (04E1119)



                                                              By Abigail Brewer



        11.4.1 Introduction
        This report details the analysis of charred seeds and plant remains from samples taken during excava-
        tion of a burnt mound, pit and stakeholes excavated at Stagpark 3, Co. Cork.



        11.4.2 Methodology
        The samples were collected on site as bulk soil and were processed using a simple flotation method.
        Each sample was saturated in water to allow carbonised plant material to float; this “flot” (the floating
        material) was then poured into a stack of geological sieves and trapped in the sieve meshes (the small-
        est measured 250µm). When all the carbonised material was collected the flot was then air-dried in
        paper-lined drying trays prior to storage in airtight plastic bags. All the samples were initially scanned
        under low magnification (using a binocular microscope with magnification x10 to x40) to identify the
        samples with most potential for analysis, the scanning results are listed in Table 1. None of the samples
        contained the remains of charred seeds.



        11.4.3 Results
        Four samples were scanned for charred plant remains. Although all the samples contained charcoal no
        charred seeds were recovered from the site. Charred seeds are consistently absent from burnt mound
        deposits; several burnt mounds excavated by Eachtra Archaeological Projects have produced little or no
        macro-plant remains, for example at three burnt mounds excavated in advance of works on the N22 in
        Co. Kerry (04E0646, 04E0647 and 04E0647ext), all of which produced only negative results. While
        the debate rages regarding the function of burnt mounds, plant remains studies can only contribute a
        negative; they were evidently never involved in the processing of cereal foods.




Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/04e1119-stagpark3/                                                                    46
04E1119          Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road                      ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237



        11.4.4 Non-Technical Summary
        This report examined the plant remains taken from a burnt mound excavated at Stagpark 3, Co. Cork.
        There were no charred seeds in the samples, an absence that is consistent in samples of charred remains
        from burnt mounds.

        Table 1: Scanning results from Stagpark 3, Co. Cork (04E1119)


        Context         S.S. No. Cereals                            Weeds         Charcoal               Comments
        3               1                                                         ****                   17g
        3               2                                                         ****                   9g
        50              3                                                         ****                   17g
        55              6                                                         ****                   20g




         Appendix 5: Summary account of site archive

         Stagpark 3                                                         04E1119
         Type                         Description                           Quantity         Notes
         Contexts                     Validated contexts from excavation    159



         Plans                        1:100 plan (sheets)                   4
                                       1:50 plan (sheets)                   6
                                      1:20 plan (sheets)                    0
         Sections                     1:20 sections and profiles (Sheets)   5


         Matrices                                                           1                Full site matrix
         Photographs                                                        51               Two rolls of film
         Registers                    Context                               1
                                      Photograph                            1
                                      Drawing                               1
                                      Finds                                 1
                                      Samples                               1




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04E1119        Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road                               ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237




        11.6      Appendix 6: Dissemination Strategy


        Publications
        Excavations 2004         Text submitted January 2004                                        Publication pending
        NRA publication          Text submitted February 2006                                       Publication pending
        Presentation             Lecture given to Mitchelstown and Mallow Historical Societies      May & October 2005
                                 Overview of the Scheme was given to the IAI conference in Cork     April 2005




        It is the right of Cork County Council (the Council) to fulfil some or all of the stated publication requirements, either
        in part or in full, should it so decide, and that copyright is aggisned to the Council in order that it may make such
        information available to the public.

        It is the right of Cork County Council (the Council) to fulfil some or all of the stated presentation requirements,
        either in part or in full, should it so decide.




        11.7      Appendix 7: Programme Schedule Dates & Deliveries

        Phase 1 testing                             June 2004
        Phase 2 resolution                          Duration of excavation 13th Sept-14th Oct & 29th Nov-8th Dec 2004
        Phase 3 post-excavation
        Postex Assessment & Stragegy                Document submitted to Cork County Council March 2005
        Interim Excavation Report                   Report submitted to Cork County Council August 2005
        Final Excavation Report                     Report submitted to Cork County Council March 2006
        Publications
        Excavations 2004                            Summary submitted January 2005
        NRA Monography                              Summary submitted to Cork County Council February 2006




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