The excavation of the site at Kilshanny 3 comprised a burnt mound. The mound overlay a large rectangular trough, two pits and a post-hole. Two Late Bronze Age radiocarbon dates were returned from the fills of the trough and a pit. A small quantity of charred cereals and plant remains were recovered from the burnt mound.
The excavation of the site at Kilshanny 2 revealed five pits spread over two fields, labelled A and B. It is likely that these were post-medieval in date. A single radiocarbon date acquired for the site revealed a date for the Middle Bronze Age.
The excavation of the site at Kilshanny 1 revealed the remains of Bronze Age habitation that included a round house, a possible associated structure and an enclosing component.
The remains of a post-medieval field system were also excavated. Radiocarbon dates from the site were very diverse and the range of results included Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Iron Age and medieval dates.
The site comprised a cluster of ten pits and post-holes and a series of plough furrows. There was also a small feature containing charcoal located 5 m south of the main cluster of features. Caherdrinny 2 appears to be the remains of a funerary pyre. There is no evidence that the cremated remains were buried at the site. The site does not suggest more than a single episode of burning. The absence of in situ scorching of the subsoil suggests either that the pyre was built on the topsoil or that it was raised above ground, with the posts smouldering down to their base, leaving no evidence of in situ burning. A radiocarbon date suggested that activity at the site dated to the Middle Bronze Age.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 3 revealed prehistoric settlement remains. These were concentrated in the eastern part of the site and they included a hearth and a group of pits and stake-holes dated to the Late Bronze Age. In the western part of the site a small concentration of stake-holes, a pit and two post-holes was found clustered around a hearth. In between the eastern and the western concentrations of archaeological features there was a single isolated hearth dated to the Iron Age. Lithic artefacts dating to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age and sherds of Domestic Cordoned Urn were recovered from some of the pits.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 4, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The excavation of the site at Ballinglanna North 4 comprised a single pit dated to the Iron Age and a group of field boundaries, furrows and small burnt areas which formed part of a field system, or systems, associated with agricultural production in the post-medieval period.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 6, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The site at Ballinglanna North 6 was divided into two areas. An early Mesolithic flint blade (E3972:1:1) was recovered from the topsoil. Area 1 comprised a burnt mound/fulacht fiadh that extended beyond the limit of the excavation to the west. The mound overlay a trough that had been re-cut. An Early Bronze Age date was returned for the mound. Area 2 was located 65 m to the north of Area 1. A pit was located on the northern edge of the area of excavation and extended beyond the baulk. A flint blade (E3972:21:2), dating to the first half of the Neolithic and a fragment of a quern stone (E3972:21:1) were recovered from the fill of the pit. Two hearths and associated stake-holes and two pits dating to the early modern period were also excavated in Area 2. An early modern date was returned for one of the hearths. The entire area of excavation was truncated by land drains, furrows and field ditches.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 1, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
Also available at http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/
The excavation of the site at Ballinglanna North 1 revealed a range of features dating
to the Late Bronze Age, the early medieval period and the modern period. The site was located on the western bank of the Glencorra Stream and most of the activity recorded on site was associated with this water source. The earliest evidence, a single flint blade, from the site dated to the Mesolithic. A small group of stone tools including flint debitage was dated to the Early Bronze Age but none of the features recorded on site could be assigned to the Early Bronze Age. A fulacht fiadh was dated to the Late Bronze Age. The mound overlay a substantial rectangular trough. The trough was connected to a well. A small number of post-holes were located to the south of the trough. The site was suitable as a location for metalworking, specifically iron smithing, in the early medieval period.
A large ditch was excavated parallel and to the west of the Glencorra Stream. A large
quantity of slag was recovered from the fills of the ditch and a small amount from a small group of pits on the eastern edge of the ditch. No certain features of metallurgical origin were recorded at the site. Two large storage pits and an area of domestic occupation are associated with the early medieval phase of activity. Finally the site was occupied in the modern period. A small stone structure, some linear features and a revetment wall on the western side of the Glencorra Stream date to the modern period.
The excavation of the site at Clashnevin 2 comprised a group of stake-holes, pits, post-holes and layers. The domestic activity was dated to the late Bronze Age / early Iron Age.
The two dates were returned from the fill of a pit and an occupation layer. Evidence of wild food exploitation was found in tandem with evidence for cereal cultivation. A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered from two of the occupation layers.
The excavation of the site at Kilshanny 2 revealed five pits spread over two fields, labelled A and B. It is likely that these were post-medieval in date. A single radiocarbon date acquired for the site revealed a date for the Middle Bronze Age.
The excavation of the site at Kilshanny 1 revealed the remains of Bronze Age habitation that included a round house, a possible associated structure and an enclosing component.
The remains of a post-medieval field system were also excavated. Radiocarbon dates from the site were very diverse and the range of results included Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Iron Age and medieval dates.
The site comprised a cluster of ten pits and post-holes and a series of plough furrows. There was also a small feature containing charcoal located 5 m south of the main cluster of features. Caherdrinny 2 appears to be the remains of a funerary pyre. There is no evidence that the cremated remains were buried at the site. The site does not suggest more than a single episode of burning. The absence of in situ scorching of the subsoil suggests either that the pyre was built on the topsoil or that it was raised above ground, with the posts smouldering down to their base, leaving no evidence of in situ burning. A radiocarbon date suggested that activity at the site dated to the Middle Bronze Age.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 3 revealed prehistoric settlement remains. These were concentrated in the eastern part of the site and they included a hearth and a group of pits and stake-holes dated to the Late Bronze Age. In the western part of the site a small concentration of stake-holes, a pit and two post-holes was found clustered around a hearth. In between the eastern and the western concentrations of archaeological features there was a single isolated hearth dated to the Iron Age. Lithic artefacts dating to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age and sherds of Domestic Cordoned Urn were recovered from some of the pits.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 4, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The excavation of the site at Ballinglanna North 4 comprised a single pit dated to the Iron Age and a group of field boundaries, furrows and small burnt areas which formed part of a field system, or systems, associated with agricultural production in the post-medieval period.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 6, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The site at Ballinglanna North 6 was divided into two areas. An early Mesolithic flint blade (E3972:1:1) was recovered from the topsoil. Area 1 comprised a burnt mound/fulacht fiadh that extended beyond the limit of the excavation to the west. The mound overlay a trough that had been re-cut. An Early Bronze Age date was returned for the mound. Area 2 was located 65 m to the north of Area 1. A pit was located on the northern edge of the area of excavation and extended beyond the baulk. A flint blade (E3972:21:2), dating to the first half of the Neolithic and a fragment of a quern stone (E3972:21:1) were recovered from the fill of the pit. Two hearths and associated stake-holes and two pits dating to the early modern period were also excavated in Area 2. An early modern date was returned for one of the hearths. The entire area of excavation was truncated by land drains, furrows and field ditches.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 1, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
Also available at http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/
The excavation of the site at Ballinglanna North 1 revealed a range of features dating
to the Late Bronze Age, the early medieval period and the modern period. The site was located on the western bank of the Glencorra Stream and most of the activity recorded on site was associated with this water source. The earliest evidence, a single flint blade, from the site dated to the Mesolithic. A small group of stone tools including flint debitage was dated to the Early Bronze Age but none of the features recorded on site could be assigned to the Early Bronze Age. A fulacht fiadh was dated to the Late Bronze Age. The mound overlay a substantial rectangular trough. The trough was connected to a well. A small number of post-holes were located to the south of the trough. The site was suitable as a location for metalworking, specifically iron smithing, in the early medieval period.
A large ditch was excavated parallel and to the west of the Glencorra Stream. A large
quantity of slag was recovered from the fills of the ditch and a small amount from a small group of pits on the eastern edge of the ditch. No certain features of metallurgical origin were recorded at the site. Two large storage pits and an area of domestic occupation are associated with the early medieval phase of activity. Finally the site was occupied in the modern period. A small stone structure, some linear features and a revetment wall on the western side of the Glencorra Stream date to the modern period.
The excavation of the site at Clashnevin 2 comprised a group of stake-holes, pits, post-holes and layers. The domestic activity was dated to the late Bronze Age / early Iron Age.
The two dates were returned from the fill of a pit and an occupation layer. Evidence of wild food exploitation was found in tandem with evidence for cereal cultivation. A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered from two of the occupation layers.
The excavation of the site at Ballynacarriga 1 revealed a dry water course. The stream may have been diverted during construction works associated with the nearby Ballynacarriaga House. A flint flake and sherds of 18 th /19 th century pottery were recovered from the sands and gravels of the dry water course. The flint flake dates to the Neolithic period.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 1 comprised two separate areas of excavation.
A group of over 30 pits, post-holes and stake-holes were excavated in Area 1. An Early Bronze Age and an Iron Age date were returned from pits in Area 1. At Area 2 there were 26 cut features, these included six slot trenches, five pits, eight stake-holes and four post-holes, which represented the truncated remains of a Bronze Age house. A saddle quern, a small quantity of charred animal bone and a token deposit of the cremated remains of a juvenile were recovered from the Bronze Age house.
The excavation of the site at Garryleagh revealed a smithing hearth pit and associated short length of ditch and modern agricultural features. Metallurgical residues were recovered from the fills of the hearth C.13 and the ditch C.9 and were derived from iron-working (smithing). A medieval radiocarbon date, indicating use in the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries, was obtained from the fill of the hearth.
The excavation of the site at Derrycarney comprised a single pit and four irregular features. The irregular features are likely to have been natural in origin. No artefacts were recovered from the site. No radiocarbon dates were obtained.
Three separate cuttings were excavated at Derrybane 1. Area 1 measured 20 m by 20 m, Area 2 measured 92 m by 30 m and Area 3 measured 13 m by 15 m. Three large pits were excavated in Area 1. Area 2 was characterised by 22 small and shallow pits, located for the most part in the centre of the site, 12 postholes and three hearths. The entire area was truncated by modern drains and furrows. An Early Bronze Age date, an early medieval and a medieval date were returned from pits and a hearth in Area 2. A corn-drying kiln and associated pit were recorded in Area 3. The figure-of-eight type kiln comprised two oval chambers separated by a flue. There was evidence for three or four phases of use in the kiln. A large oval pit was located adjacent to the kiln. The pit contained large amounts of burnt material, possibly waste from the kiln. The kiln was dated to the medieval period.
The excavation of the site at Kildrum revealed a fulacht fiadh with five troughs with numerous fills of burnt mound material. The actual burnt mound survived only as shallow layers truncated by a deep field boundary. Two of the troughs were large in size and showed evidence of lining as stake-holes were recorded in the base of the troughs. Early Bronze Age dates were returned from charcoal from two of the fills of the troughs. The site was truncated by a field boundary, several land drains and a modern forest plantation.
No water source is evident in the immediate surrounds of the site but running water was recorded in the base of the field boundary. Analysis of charcoal from the site suggests that almost equal amounts of hazel, oak, and alder charcoal were used in the fires at the site.
Two phases of prehistoric activity were recorded at Culleenwaine. A group of 18 pits was dated to the first half of the Neolithic Period. Lithics, pottery, burnt animal bone and a small quantity of charred seeds were recovered from some of the Neolithic pits. The second phase of activity was dated to the Early Bronze Age. It comprised a burnt mound which was associated with three troughs and at least four small pits. Evidence for lining was recorded in two of the troughs. Two, un-stratified lithics, a flint convex end scraper and a chert retouched blade were associated with the Early Bronze Age phase of activity.
The site was disturbed in the modern period by the excavation of a field boundary. It subsequently went out of use and was back filled. The associated land reclamation works disturbed the extent of the layers of burnt mound material.
The excavation of the site at Glenatlucky revealed a cremation pit, four post-holes, a hearth, three pits, one stake-hole and four linear features. The cremation pit contained the remains of a young adult of indeterminate gender and fragments of an encrusted urn, indicating a burial date in the Early Bronze Age. Charcoal from the cremation pit returned a post-medieval or modern radiocarbon date, evidently an anomalous result. Charcoal from another pit indicated an Early Bronze Age date. This is more generally representative of the activity at the site than the modern radiocarbon date from the cremation pit. Only a portion of the cremated body and the funerary pottery were found, suggesting secondary re-deposition of the original burial.
The site at Gortore 2 was discovered during Phase 2 geophysical testing when a possible ditched enclosure was identified. The excavated site comprised as series of ditches, linear features and furrows that were probably post-medieval in date.
The excavated remains at Drumroe comprised a Bronze Age house, a group of pits and a number of field boundaries. The area of excavation measured 35 m north-south by 110 m east-west. The Bronze Age house was located at the eastern end of the site. The house measured 7 m in diameter. It was defined by two incomplete rings of post-holes and slot trenches, the inner ring was concentric with the outer. No trace of the rear of the structure survived. The porch measured c. 1 m in width by 1.7 m in length and faced directly east. A widely dispersed group of sixteen pits and field boundaries were recorded in the western portion of the site. The boundaries were of relict field systems. At least three phases of ditches were recorded and a broad typology of ditches can be associated with the three phases.
The site was a recorded early medieval enclosure or cashel (GA096:085) which was depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area. The site was levelled and destroyed by land clearance and was not visible above ground. The foundation level of a non-circular wall, which consisted of an inner and an outer face with an internal rubble
core, was partly traced around the perimeter of a low knoll. One small, internal, stone feature was identified below a stone deposit which covered the entire interior of the site.
A beautifully preserved baluster-headed ringed pin, dated from the 7th to the 8th century, was recovered during the excavation along with a crinoid fossil bead of possibly similar date. No suitable dating material was recovered during the excavation.
Distribution of Possible Fatty Acids and Alkanones in some Thermally Immature...Premier Publishers
A total of Twenty-one coal and carbonaceous shale samples were collected from four boreholes in Mamu and Awgu Formations of Lower and Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria. The samples were subjected to Elemental analysis using Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).The saturated fraction was subjected to urea adduction to separate isoprenoids from n-alkanes and subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using a CE 5980 GC coupled to an HP Finnigan 8222 MS held at 80oC for three minutes and raised to 310oC at 3oC min-1 and held isothermally for 10 minutes in order to assess some molecular parameters used in source rock characterization. The short chain/long chain saturated fatty acid (ATRFA) ratios for the samples which ranges from 0.85-1.00 and the carbon preference index (CPIFA) of the long chain n-fatty acids (C24-C30) ranging between 1.27 and 3.29 indicates both terrestrial and marine organic matter derived materials. The distribution of straight chain n-alkan-2-ones ranges from nC14 to nC33, maximizing at nC17 is an indication of contribution from higher plants.
This site probably represents evidence of domestic occupation. Based on comparative evidence and the absence of any artefacts it has been assigned a prehistoric date. It may form either a corner from a fence line or may form part of a more complex structure such as a dwelling house. Rectangular houses are
known from the Neolithic through to the Bronze Age, and from the early historic period onwards.
The site at Fermoy Wood has been identified as a early Iron Age burnt mound where hot stone technology was used but there is no definite evidence from this site to indicate the specific purpose of heating stones and water in the area; the technology could have been utilised in a variety of processes from cooking and bathing to fulling, felting, boat building and many other industrial processes. The site is just one of many similar monuments that have been discovered in the general area in recent years and it contributes to the widespread evidence for use of hot stones and water in the area in prehistory. The nearest excavated site to the Fermoy Wood fulacht fiadh was the brushwood platform and trackway and nearby discovery of Giant Irish Deer in Ballyoran Bog (04E1014 extension).
The excavation of the site at Clashnevin comprised a burnt mound which overlay a well, a trough and a small group of pits. The well was 7 m in diameter and over 2.5 m in depth.
It was fed by a spring at the base. The trough was located on the western side of the well.
A medieval date was returned from one of the basal fills of the well. The remains of a second burnt mound were located 40 m to the west. It comprised a trough and two pits.
A Middle Bronze Age date was returned from a fill of the trough. A small quantity of plant remains and animal bone was recovered primarily from the fills of the well and a pit at the western end of the site. Three ditches were located to the north of the mound of burnt material. The ditches correspond to a field boundary marked on the 1st ed. OS map sheet TN21.
Three phases of archaeological activity were recorded on the site. The earliest phase is a Neolithic house and associated features within Area ІІ. An Early Bronze Age pit was located in Area І some 70m south of the house site. The final phase of activity related to Post-Medieval agricultural practices and included a back-filled ditch within Area ІІ.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 4 revealed deposits of disturbed burnt mound material overlain by re-deposited subsoil. The layers of burnt mound material were ex situ. They may have been removed from their original location during land reclamation works. No radiocarbon date was obtained for this site.
The site at Gortnahown was divided into five separate cuttings. Areas 1 and 2 comprised one cutting. Area 3 was located 80 m to the south-west. Area 4 was located 110 m south-west of Area 3 and Area 5 was located 65 m south of Area 4. Areas of activity centred on hearths were dated to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period. One of the hearth-side groups was associated with flint knapping. Two substantial roundhouses and two ancillary structures, including a workshop were dated to the early medieval period. Evidence for all phases of metalworking including the manufacture of bronze coated iron bells was recorded at the site. The area was enclosed by a ditch in the medieval or post-medieval period.
Evidence for Early Neolithic and Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age occupation was recorded in the form of a number of pits and post-holes in Area 3. Post-medieval pits and ditches were recorded in Area 4. The truncated remains of two possible medieval houses and a number of pits were recorded in Area 5.
The excavation of the site at Ballynacarriga 1 revealed a dry water course. The stream may have been diverted during construction works associated with the nearby Ballynacarriaga House. A flint flake and sherds of 18 th /19 th century pottery were recovered from the sands and gravels of the dry water course. The flint flake dates to the Neolithic period.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 1 comprised two separate areas of excavation.
A group of over 30 pits, post-holes and stake-holes were excavated in Area 1. An Early Bronze Age and an Iron Age date were returned from pits in Area 1. At Area 2 there were 26 cut features, these included six slot trenches, five pits, eight stake-holes and four post-holes, which represented the truncated remains of a Bronze Age house. A saddle quern, a small quantity of charred animal bone and a token deposit of the cremated remains of a juvenile were recovered from the Bronze Age house.
The excavation of the site at Garryleagh revealed a smithing hearth pit and associated short length of ditch and modern agricultural features. Metallurgical residues were recovered from the fills of the hearth C.13 and the ditch C.9 and were derived from iron-working (smithing). A medieval radiocarbon date, indicating use in the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries, was obtained from the fill of the hearth.
The excavation of the site at Derrycarney comprised a single pit and four irregular features. The irregular features are likely to have been natural in origin. No artefacts were recovered from the site. No radiocarbon dates were obtained.
Three separate cuttings were excavated at Derrybane 1. Area 1 measured 20 m by 20 m, Area 2 measured 92 m by 30 m and Area 3 measured 13 m by 15 m. Three large pits were excavated in Area 1. Area 2 was characterised by 22 small and shallow pits, located for the most part in the centre of the site, 12 postholes and three hearths. The entire area was truncated by modern drains and furrows. An Early Bronze Age date, an early medieval and a medieval date were returned from pits and a hearth in Area 2. A corn-drying kiln and associated pit were recorded in Area 3. The figure-of-eight type kiln comprised two oval chambers separated by a flue. There was evidence for three or four phases of use in the kiln. A large oval pit was located adjacent to the kiln. The pit contained large amounts of burnt material, possibly waste from the kiln. The kiln was dated to the medieval period.
The excavation of the site at Kildrum revealed a fulacht fiadh with five troughs with numerous fills of burnt mound material. The actual burnt mound survived only as shallow layers truncated by a deep field boundary. Two of the troughs were large in size and showed evidence of lining as stake-holes were recorded in the base of the troughs. Early Bronze Age dates were returned from charcoal from two of the fills of the troughs. The site was truncated by a field boundary, several land drains and a modern forest plantation.
No water source is evident in the immediate surrounds of the site but running water was recorded in the base of the field boundary. Analysis of charcoal from the site suggests that almost equal amounts of hazel, oak, and alder charcoal were used in the fires at the site.
Two phases of prehistoric activity were recorded at Culleenwaine. A group of 18 pits was dated to the first half of the Neolithic Period. Lithics, pottery, burnt animal bone and a small quantity of charred seeds were recovered from some of the Neolithic pits. The second phase of activity was dated to the Early Bronze Age. It comprised a burnt mound which was associated with three troughs and at least four small pits. Evidence for lining was recorded in two of the troughs. Two, un-stratified lithics, a flint convex end scraper and a chert retouched blade were associated with the Early Bronze Age phase of activity.
The site was disturbed in the modern period by the excavation of a field boundary. It subsequently went out of use and was back filled. The associated land reclamation works disturbed the extent of the layers of burnt mound material.
The excavation of the site at Glenatlucky revealed a cremation pit, four post-holes, a hearth, three pits, one stake-hole and four linear features. The cremation pit contained the remains of a young adult of indeterminate gender and fragments of an encrusted urn, indicating a burial date in the Early Bronze Age. Charcoal from the cremation pit returned a post-medieval or modern radiocarbon date, evidently an anomalous result. Charcoal from another pit indicated an Early Bronze Age date. This is more generally representative of the activity at the site than the modern radiocarbon date from the cremation pit. Only a portion of the cremated body and the funerary pottery were found, suggesting secondary re-deposition of the original burial.
The site at Gortore 2 was discovered during Phase 2 geophysical testing when a possible ditched enclosure was identified. The excavated site comprised as series of ditches, linear features and furrows that were probably post-medieval in date.
The excavated remains at Drumroe comprised a Bronze Age house, a group of pits and a number of field boundaries. The area of excavation measured 35 m north-south by 110 m east-west. The Bronze Age house was located at the eastern end of the site. The house measured 7 m in diameter. It was defined by two incomplete rings of post-holes and slot trenches, the inner ring was concentric with the outer. No trace of the rear of the structure survived. The porch measured c. 1 m in width by 1.7 m in length and faced directly east. A widely dispersed group of sixteen pits and field boundaries were recorded in the western portion of the site. The boundaries were of relict field systems. At least three phases of ditches were recorded and a broad typology of ditches can be associated with the three phases.
The site was a recorded early medieval enclosure or cashel (GA096:085) which was depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area. The site was levelled and destroyed by land clearance and was not visible above ground. The foundation level of a non-circular wall, which consisted of an inner and an outer face with an internal rubble
core, was partly traced around the perimeter of a low knoll. One small, internal, stone feature was identified below a stone deposit which covered the entire interior of the site.
A beautifully preserved baluster-headed ringed pin, dated from the 7th to the 8th century, was recovered during the excavation along with a crinoid fossil bead of possibly similar date. No suitable dating material was recovered during the excavation.
Distribution of Possible Fatty Acids and Alkanones in some Thermally Immature...Premier Publishers
A total of Twenty-one coal and carbonaceous shale samples were collected from four boreholes in Mamu and Awgu Formations of Lower and Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria. The samples were subjected to Elemental analysis using Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).The saturated fraction was subjected to urea adduction to separate isoprenoids from n-alkanes and subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using a CE 5980 GC coupled to an HP Finnigan 8222 MS held at 80oC for three minutes and raised to 310oC at 3oC min-1 and held isothermally for 10 minutes in order to assess some molecular parameters used in source rock characterization. The short chain/long chain saturated fatty acid (ATRFA) ratios for the samples which ranges from 0.85-1.00 and the carbon preference index (CPIFA) of the long chain n-fatty acids (C24-C30) ranging between 1.27 and 3.29 indicates both terrestrial and marine organic matter derived materials. The distribution of straight chain n-alkan-2-ones ranges from nC14 to nC33, maximizing at nC17 is an indication of contribution from higher plants.
This site probably represents evidence of domestic occupation. Based on comparative evidence and the absence of any artefacts it has been assigned a prehistoric date. It may form either a corner from a fence line or may form part of a more complex structure such as a dwelling house. Rectangular houses are
known from the Neolithic through to the Bronze Age, and from the early historic period onwards.
The site at Fermoy Wood has been identified as a early Iron Age burnt mound where hot stone technology was used but there is no definite evidence from this site to indicate the specific purpose of heating stones and water in the area; the technology could have been utilised in a variety of processes from cooking and bathing to fulling, felting, boat building and many other industrial processes. The site is just one of many similar monuments that have been discovered in the general area in recent years and it contributes to the widespread evidence for use of hot stones and water in the area in prehistory. The nearest excavated site to the Fermoy Wood fulacht fiadh was the brushwood platform and trackway and nearby discovery of Giant Irish Deer in Ballyoran Bog (04E1014 extension).
The excavation of the site at Clashnevin comprised a burnt mound which overlay a well, a trough and a small group of pits. The well was 7 m in diameter and over 2.5 m in depth.
It was fed by a spring at the base. The trough was located on the western side of the well.
A medieval date was returned from one of the basal fills of the well. The remains of a second burnt mound were located 40 m to the west. It comprised a trough and two pits.
A Middle Bronze Age date was returned from a fill of the trough. A small quantity of plant remains and animal bone was recovered primarily from the fills of the well and a pit at the western end of the site. Three ditches were located to the north of the mound of burnt material. The ditches correspond to a field boundary marked on the 1st ed. OS map sheet TN21.
Three phases of archaeological activity were recorded on the site. The earliest phase is a Neolithic house and associated features within Area ІІ. An Early Bronze Age pit was located in Area І some 70m south of the house site. The final phase of activity related to Post-Medieval agricultural practices and included a back-filled ditch within Area ІІ.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 4 revealed deposits of disturbed burnt mound material overlain by re-deposited subsoil. The layers of burnt mound material were ex situ. They may have been removed from their original location during land reclamation works. No radiocarbon date was obtained for this site.
The site at Gortnahown was divided into five separate cuttings. Areas 1 and 2 comprised one cutting. Area 3 was located 80 m to the south-west. Area 4 was located 110 m south-west of Area 3 and Area 5 was located 65 m south of Area 4. Areas of activity centred on hearths were dated to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period. One of the hearth-side groups was associated with flint knapping. Two substantial roundhouses and two ancillary structures, including a workshop were dated to the early medieval period. Evidence for all phases of metalworking including the manufacture of bronze coated iron bells was recorded at the site. The area was enclosed by a ditch in the medieval or post-medieval period.
Evidence for Early Neolithic and Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age occupation was recorded in the form of a number of pits and post-holes in Area 3. Post-medieval pits and ditches were recorded in Area 4. The truncated remains of two possible medieval houses and a number of pits were recorded in Area 5.
The excavation of the site at Ballynamona was spread over two areas (Area 1 and Area 2). Excavation revealed nine pits, two post-holes and a linear feature in Area 1 and 12 pits and two linear features from Area 2. Some finds of prehistoric pottery indicated Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age activity.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 2, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The excavation of the site at Ballinglanna North 2 E2415 was divided into three areas of excavation. No archaeology was recorded in Area 1. The archaeological features at Area 2 comprised four hearths, a pit, three post-holes, and a stake-hole. The archaeological features excavated at Area 3 included 16 pits and a post-hole. Modern field boundaries were recorded within the area of excavation. A small assemblage of flint artefacts dating to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period was recorded at the site. An early medieval radiocarbon date was returned from one of the pits in Area 3.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 5, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The archaeological excavations at Ballinglanna North 5 comprised two isolated pits. Both pits were dated to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age, the northern pit by a radiocarbon date and the southern pit by the recovery of a flint scraper, (05E1150:2:1), recovered during the testing phase.
The excavation of the site at Caherdrinny 1 comprised the remains of a deposit of heat-shattered stone and charcoal, interpreted as the remains of a truncated burnt mound/fulacht fiadh. No radiocarbon date was obtained for this site.
There were two separate areas, 1 and 2, excavated at Greenhills 3. Area 1 was located in the western part of the site and comprised three small separate mounds of burnt material.
The mounds overlay six troughs and two pits. A third pit was located east of the central mound. Evidence of lining was recorded in one of the troughs. An Early Bronze Age date was returned from one of the fills of one of the troughs. A flint blade (E3658:1:2) was recovered from the topsoil.
Area 2 was located 30 m east of Area 1. The ground to the immediate west of the mounds of burnt material in Area 2 was low-lying and boggy and criss-crossed with land drains. It must have been the source of water for the troughs in Area 2 in prehistory. The northern mound of burnt material overlay seven trough and three pits. The southern mound of burnt material overlay one trough. Evidence of lining was recorded in five of the troughs. One Early Bronze Age and one Middle Bronze Age date was returned from a hearth and a trough. A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered from the fills of two of the troughs and two of the layers. Two flaked pieces of chert (E3658:34:1-2) were recovered from one of the layers.
The excavation of Derrybane 2 recorded Bronze Age domestic and funerary activity in the form of a series of cremation pits, three structures and associated post-holes, hearths, pits and stake-holes. Area 1 measured 41 m north-south by 45 m east-west and Area 2 measured 44 m north-south by 318 m east-west. Excavation of the western end of the site revealed four cremation pits and eight pits that appeared to be associated with the funerary activity. A further two pits, a hearth, two post-holes and a linear cut were also excavated in this area. Excavation in the central section of the site revealed three post-built circular structures. The largest building (Structure 1) comprised a ring of eight post-holes and two small slot trenches with an entrance/porch at the south-east and was dated to the Late Bronze Age. The smallest structure was dated to the Early Bronze Age. In the eastern extent of Area 2 18 pits containing cremated human remains were excavated. The rim of an inverted urn (E3591:704:1-19) was recovered from one of the cremation pits. A further 15 pits were interspersed within the group of pits containing cremations. The cremations were dated to the Middle Bronze Age.
The excavation of the site at Moatquarter comprised a Bronze Age house dating to the Middle Bronze Age. It was defined by a double ring of post-holes. The inner ring was concentric with the outer ring but the outer ring was not complete. It enclosed the rear and more than half the sides of the structure. The internal diameter of the structure was 5.8 m and it enclosed an area of 26.1 m2 . The entrance to the house faced south-southeast.
The site at Ballynacarriga 2 E2413 comprised a D-shaped enclosure on the edge of a limestone reef overlooking the Funshion River. The ditch enclosed the northern and eastern sides of the site. The edge of the reef was located on the western side. No convincing enclosing element was recorded on the south-western side. The entrance was likely to have been in the south-east. Structure 1, rectangular in plan, was located in the centre of the site. Structure 2 was located 5 m to the north-east. A small group of pits, possibly associated with metal-working was located to the immediate north-west of Structure 2. A group of pits, associated with the domestic occupation of the site, were located 10 m south of Structure 2. A dry-stone built souterrain was recorded in the north-western portion of the site. It comprised an entrance, passage and corbelled circular chamber. The entrance faced south-east. Five post-holes were located in the area of the entrance and may have formed a shelter or structure around the entrance.
Lithic stone tools, dating to the second half of the Neolithic were recovered from secondary contexts on site. Three coarse stone tools dating to the early medieval period were recovered from the ditch and the souterrain. A small archaeometallurgy assemblage including slags from both iron smelting and smithing was recovered from the ditch, souterrain and features associated with Structure 2. The ditch was used as a repository for food waste. Over 2000 animal bone fragments, the majority identified as cattle and a small quantity of plant remains, wheat, barley and oats were recovered from the ditch fills. Five early medieval, between 6 th and 9 th century, radiocarbon dates were returned from the ditch, souterrain, Structure 1 and Structure 2.
The excavation of the site in Area 1 at Greenhills 2 comprised a mound of burnt material.
The mound was located on the eastern side of a shallow boggy hollow. Four troughs, 18 pits, five post-holes and 52 stake-holes were recorded in the area of the mound. The site was truncated by modern ditches and field drains. A flint scraper, four pieces of flint and chert debitage and a quartzite rubbing stone were recovered from the topsoil and the fills of the trough, modern post-hole and ditch. Two Early Bronze Age dates were returned from the fill of a trough and the fill of a pit.
Area 2 was located 60 m to the east of Area 1. The archaeological material in this part of the site comprised ex-situ layers of burnt mound material and two pits. The site was truncated by modern ditches and drains.
The excavation at Clynoe revealed the western arc of a small ditched enclosure, previously classified as a ringfort (RMP OF046-013). Th e earthwor k ha d bee n truncate d o n the western side by the construction of a 3 rd class road and on the southern and eastern sides by a farm yard and farm access road. No radiocarbon date was obtained for the site as the charcoal was contaminated and no artefacts were recovered.
The excavation of the site at Greenhills comprised a mound of burnt material. The mound was located on the northern and eastern side of a hollow and overlay nine pits. An Early Bronze Age date was returned from the fill of one of the pits. A flint scraper E3638:7:1 dating to the Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age was recovered from one of the layers.
The excavation of the site at Gortore 1b E2410 comprised three areas, 1, 2 and 3. The site was located on the southern bank of the River Funshion. A truncated house and a group of pits and post-holes were excavated in Area 1. A group of pits, some dating to the Mesolithic period, were excavated in Area 2. A large concentration of pits, post-holes and hearths, which formed at least two possible structures, were excavated in Area 3. The underlying limestone geology and the formation of sink holes in Area 3 were problematic.
An important assemblage of lithic artefacts, dating from the Early Mesolithic to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age, was recovered, in particular from Area 2 and Area 3. An assemblage of Early Neolithic carinated bowls and Middle Neolithic gobular bowls was also recovered from the site. A corn-drying kiln dated to the early medieval period was recorded in Area 1.
This excavation revealed the extant remains of a late medieval, mixed feed, permanent
lime kiln in the townland of Cullenagh More. The lime kiln consisted of a square structure
with a kiln pot measuring, roughly, 3.5 m across and with a surviving depth of 1.5
m. There was a central flue in each of the four walls. In its later days the kiln was used
as a storage shed and although disused, was known locally, into the 20th century. A late
medieval date was returned from the kiln.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 3, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The excavation of the site at Ballinglanna North 3 revealed the remains of one well-preserved rectangular building (Structure 1) that was dated to the Early Neolithic. There was also evidence for extensive activity in the area outside Structure 1. A second building (Structure 2) was also rectangular in plan and pottery from the area suggests that this was also Early Neolithic in date. This second house was, however, disturbed and somewhat truncated. Other archaeological activity at this site included the remains of two burnt mounds/fulachta fiadh (Burnt mound 1 and 2).
The excavation of the site at Carrigane 1 comprised six linear features, field drains and stake-holes. The majority of these features appeared to be post-medieval in date.
This was a small, porrly preserved burnt mound from which a Late Bronze Age date was returned. A shallow trough contained a number of stakeholes in the base of the pit. No finds were found. One Late Bronze Age date was returned from the basal fill of the trough.
The excavation of the site at Caherdrinny 3 comprised several phases of activity. The main phase of activity dated to the Early Neolithic Period and comprised a large rectangular house and associated pits, occupation surfaces, hearths and post-holes. Early Neolithic pottery and lithics were recovered. The other phases of activity at Caherdrinny 3 included the Mesolithic, Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (Beaker), Early Bronze Age, Iron Age and medieval.
Similar to Archaeological Report - Kilshanny 3, Co. Cork (Ireland) (20)
Public talk by John Tierney on recent work on the O'Daly Bardic School, Dromnea, Sheepshead, Cork and outlining a strategy for community-led heritage projects.
An Introduction to the Ballyhoura Peter Robinson Assisted Emigration ProjectJohn Tierney
The BPRAE Project is a community genealogy project designed to strengthen links between the diaspora communities generated by the Peter Robinson Assisted Emigrations of 1823 & 1825. Eleven ships took over 2000 people from Munster and set them up in 7 townships in Ontario, Canada.
This is a pilot project - results will be published to thememorytrail.com throughout March 2016 - the survey lays foundations to pool data in a central location & to deal with PR families on both side of the Atlantic.
Human remains were recorded during archaeological monitoring of a watermains trench in the middle of the road at the junction between the Athenry Road and the Dublin Road Housing Estate The works were associated with the Tuam Town Water Supply Scheme in early 2012. The remains of 48 individuals were recorded and excavated along with a section of the boundary wall and internal ditch of Tuam Union Workhouse. The burials were originally located within the bounds of Tuam Poor Law Union Workhouse which had opened to admissions in 1846. Eighteen grave pits were identified, with each containing between two and four burials. The individuals buried within these grave pits were paupers.
Slides from John Tierney's talk on exploring the heritage of Ardmore in the era of digital research and publication. This talk is part of the www.reyndr.com project being developed by Eachtra in association with a number of community groups.
Community Genealogy in Ireland - Historic GravesJohn Tierney
Community engagement in historic graveyard surveys has a multiplier effect. What started as an archaeological survey of headstones has become community genealogy and local history. This talk was presented to the Irish Genealogical Research Society AGM in May 2013.
Following the discovery of human remains during archaeological monitoring of engineering trial pits in Sawpit Lane a 1 m wide trench was excavated along Sawpit Lane, Church Lane and The Mall in advance of pipelaying associated with the Tuam Town Water Supply in July 2010. The remains of 15 individuals were recorded and excavated along with a series of ditches and pits. A stone culvert and the remains of a boundary wall were also identified. Two of the skeletons and a bone fragment from the base of one of the ditches returned calibrated radiocarbon dates centring on the seventh century. In addition a smithing hearth cake typical of early iron smithing was recovered from the upper fill of the ditch along with a bone trial motif piece which has sixth/seventh century parallels. The other pits and ditches had fills containing relatively mixed finds and animal bone fragments. The excavated features are located outside the present Temple Jarlath enclosure in the middle of Tuam and close to the site of the early medieval market area and the site of the post-medieval shambles. The pits may have acted as refuse pits for waste and the ditches may have demarcated areas or being used as open drains. The early burial evidence and the early possible enclosing ditch coupled with reports of an early unclassified cross slab suggest that the graveyard and enclosure at Temple Jarlath may be associated with St Jarlath’s original early Christian foundation.
Adare Castle Co. Limerick is located on the northern bank of the Maigue River c.150m east of the bridge. A bridge is marked in this location on the Down Survey map (c. 1656). The land in the vicinity of the castle is lowlying. The ruined Franciscan Friary is located 400m to the east and the Augustinian Friary 350m to the southwest.
The modern town of Adare is located c. 600m to the south of the castle, set back from the southern bank of the river. Recent archaeological work by Sarah McCutcheon (Limerick County Council) has demonstrated that the town (LI021-032) may have existed in its current location, in proximity to the Trinitarian Abbey, as early as the 13th/14th centuries (McCutcheon pers. comm.).
The castle was strategically constructed on the east bank of the Maigue River to protect the river’s first fordable crossing point some eight miles inland from where it issues into the Shannon Estuary. A fourteen arch bridge was later built by Gerald, the fifth Earl of Kildare, between 1390 and 1410 (Lewis 1837, 8-9). During repairs to the foundations of the bridge arches in the early decades of the nineteenth century a large post or pile of an earlier wooden bridge was revealed (Dunraven, 1865, 104).
Archaeological Report - 50-60 South Main Street, Wexford, Co. WexfordJohn Tierney
Occupation evidence dating to the 13th century and later post medieval activity, in the form of a well and boundary wall, associated with the demolished buildings on Peter Street was excavated. The medieval activity was recorded at the central southern part of the site. The area of excavation measured 11.5m north-south by 12m east-west.
All the pits in the excavation trench were medieval in date and are likely to have served as rubbish dumps. The artefactual material and the faunal remains recovered from the various fills would support this hypothesis. There was no evidence that they were used for industrial practises, though waste material from industrial activity was mixed with domestic refuse. They were located in the area of the medieval house burgage plots. No evidence of medieval structures was recorded. It is likely to exist under the foundations of the existing upstanding structures on South Main Street.
The pottery assemblage from the site was examined by the ceramic specialist Clare McCutcheon. The majority of the pottery consisted of local and Irish wares, comprising of Lenister Cooking ware, Wexford-type coarse ware, ware, fine ware and cooking ware. The English wares consisted of Minety-type, Ham Green and Redcliffe wares. The Wexford-type wares indicate local pottery production, although no medieval pottery kilns have as yet been located in Wexford. The French wares particularly the Saintonge ware, from the southwest of France, jugs, represented the wealthier tastes.
Archaeological Report - IDA Arklow Business & Technology Park, Ballynattin, C...John Tierney
The site was excavated under licence no. 04E0712. It was divided into ten areas of excavation: Areas 1-6, Area 6W, Area 7, Area 10 and Area 12.The earliest evidence for human activity was an Early Neolithic radiocarbon date obtained from the fill of a ditch in Area 6. However, there is no evidence for associated Early Neolithic activity. Most of the archaeological features excavated at Ballynattin were Bronze Age. Bronze Age pits were found in Area 6W, there was a spread of Bronze Age material in Area 3 and three partial Bronze Age structures were found in Areas 6 and 7. These were truncated and approximately only one third of each structure survived for excavation. A furnace excavated in Area 2 may also be Bronze Age in date; it has no associated radiocarbon dates but a saddle quern and flints were found within the furnace fill. The remaining features excavated at the site were primarily post-medieval, including a hearth excavated in Area 4, drains and ditches (Areas 1, 4 and 5) and a 19th century cobbled surface (Area 5).
The site consisted of a sub-circular enclosure with a diameter of approximately 36 m; it was initially identified as a crop mark on an aerial photograph, with no trace at ground level. Three sides of the enclosure were formed by two ditches (recorded as the ‘east ditch’ and the ‘west ditch’). The fourth side was characterised by large pits/postholes and slot trenches which probably continued the line of the enclosure, despite the absence of a ditch. The enclosure surrounded a Bronze Age settlement site, with a sub-circular post and stake-built structure excavated near the centre of the enclosed area and an ancillary structure to the west. This report details the results of excavation at the site and the descriptions are broken down into context complexes: the enclosure, the internal structure, the ancillary building, other internal features and external features.
The greatest proportion of archaeological features encountered at Shandon relate to Medieval activity. While nothing dateable was recovered from the sub-rectangular enclosure ditch itself, the discovery of 12th/13th century pottery from features inside and immediately outside the enclosure provides a strong case that the ditch is contemporaneous.
It must be considered a possibility that the enclosure at Shandon is a Medieval moated site. The latter have been defined as “all rectangular enclosures bounded by banks and moats of Medieval date, whether they enclosed a major house or simply a garden or cattle pen” (Barry 1987, 84). While there was no definite evidence of a bank at Shandon, there is a suggestion that one may have existed. Moated sites date to the 13th and 14th century (ibid., 85) and the local pottery found at Shandon overlaps with this date range.
It must also be considered that the Shandon enclosure relates to Hiberno-Norse activity. Prior to the present work, the motif piece was the sole indicator of such activity. However, this find is now further substantiated by the discovery of an 11th century Hiberno-Norse coin (Plate 12). Because of preservation by redesign and avoidance, a large proportion of archaeological features at Shandon were not excavated and consequently it is quite possible that further diagnostic Hiberno-Norse material survives on the site. However, one coin and a trial piece do not a Hiberno-Norse settlement make and it is plausible that the coin was deposited in Anglo-Norman times long after its original period of manufacture and use.
Eachtra archaeological projects undertook excavation of Stratham’s garage in January and February of 2005 under licence 99E0757, an extension to a pre-existing licence. In total some eighty pits were excavated with a small number of linear features and post-medieval wall foundations, drains and a cobbled surface also present. There was no evidence for a medieval structure in this area of the site and many of the pits were filled with refuse. The excavated area was interpreted as the partial remains of four medieval burgage plots. Recent excavations of the area immediately north and adjacent to this site will hopefully provide material comparable to the results from the Stratham’s Garage site.
The buildings to the rear of 26 Patrick St. were demolished. The area of the extension to the rear to the hotel measured 20m by 13m. The area of excavation was bounded by a stone wall to the south, by a building site to the north and west and by the Georgian building, 26 Patrick St., due for refurbishment to the east.
Occupation evidence dating to the 13th century and later post medieval activity associated with the demolished extension to 26 Patrick St. was excavated. The medieval activity was recorded at the western side of the site. Post-medieval construction, associated with the red brick foundations of the extension to the rear of the Georgian building which fronts onto Patrick St., had truncated medieval activity at the eastern end. The destroyed earlier medieval activity is evidenced by the occurrence of both medieval and post-medieval pottery in the same strata.
Most of the archaeological features recorded during this excavation were pits, 26 in total, two walls and a well were also excavated.
Most of the contexts were dated according to the artefacts retrieved from their fills. Therefore, pits with exclusively or almost exclusively medieval pottery were classified as medieval, whereas pits with medieval and post-medieval finds were classified as post-medieval. However, as most of the excavated features were backfilled, it is possible that some of the cut features that contained deposits, with inclusions of post-medieval artefacts, were actually open and in use in the medieval period.
The remains uncovered can be divided into medieval, post-medieval and modern. The pits were in general sub-circular and oval in plan, and, with the exception of pit C.98, were on average 2.06 m in length by 1.36 m in width by 0.61 m in depth. The fills of the pits were a mix of dark grey brown silty clay with occasional inclusions of animal bone and pottery. A total of 26 pits, two walls and a well were recorded.
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Acetabularia Information For Class 9 .docxvaibhavrinwa19
Acetabularia acetabulum is a single-celled green alga that in its vegetative state is morphologically differentiated into a basal rhizoid and an axially elongated stalk, which bears whorls of branching hairs. The single diploid nucleus resides in the rhizoid.
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
3. EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects
Archaeological Excavation Report
Burnt Mound
Kilshanny 3
Co Cork
May 2011
Client: Cork County Council
Project: N8 Fermoy Mitchelstown
E No: E2432
Excavation Director: James Lyttleton
Written by: James Lyttleton and Nick Garland
4.
5. Archaeological Excavation Report
Burnt Mound
Kilshanny 3
Co Cork
Excavation Director
James Lyttleton
Written By
James Lyttleton and Nick Garland
EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects
CORK GALWAY
The Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway
tel: 021 4701616 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: info@eachtra.ie tel: 091 763673 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: galway@eachtra.ie
7. Table of Contents
Summary���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������iii
Acknowledgements�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� iv
1 Scope of the project �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1
2 Route location��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1
3 Receiving environment ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
4 Archaeological and historical background ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 4
5 Site Location and Topography �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
6 Excavation methodology ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 9
7 Excavation results ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 10
Theburntmoundlayers�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
TheTrough���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
TheAssociatedFeatures����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14
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ModernDisturbance������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16
Plantremains����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16
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Charcoal���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16
Radiocarbondates�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16
8 Discussion �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
9 References �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21
Appendix 1 Stratigraphic Index ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23
Appendix 2 Site matrix ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27
Appendix 3 Groups and subgroups ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������28
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Appendix 4 Finds register �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������34
Appendix 5 Plant remains ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 35
Appendix 6 Charcoal Analysis ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������38
Appendix 7 Finds catalogue ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 43
i
8. List of Figures
Figure 1: The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass overlain on the Ordnance
Survey Discovery Series map� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2
Figure 2: The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass overlain on the first edition
Ordnance Survey map CO010, 011, 019, 020, 027 and 028� ��������������������������������������������������������� 5
Figure 3: The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass overlain on the RMP map
CO010, 011, 019, 020, 027 and 028� The map is based on the second edition Ord-
nance Survey maps� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
Figure 4: Post-excavation plan of Kilshanny 3�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
Figure 5: Section of trough C�24 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12
Figure 6: Bronze Age sites on and in the environs of the N8 Fermoy Mitchelstown� ������������������������ 18
List of Plates
Plate 1: View of layers of burnt mound material at Kilshanny 3� ������������������������������������������������������������ 13
Plate 2: Mid-excavation of the layers of burnt mound material from south-east� ��������������������������� 13
Plate 3: Mid-excavation of the trough C�24 from south� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14
Plate 4: Post-excavation of the trough C�24 from west������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 15
Plate 5: Mid-excavation of the pit C�53 from west� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15
List of Tables
Table 1: Dimensions of pits and post-hole� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14
Table 2: Radiocarbon dates ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
Table 3: Radiocarbon dates from the burnt mound sites on the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown ��� 19
ii
9. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
Summary
The excavation of the site at Kilshanny 3 comprised a burnt mound. The mound overlay
a large rectangular trough, two pits and a post-hole. Two Late Bronze Age radiocarbon
dates were returned from the fills of the trough and a pit. A small quantity of charred
cereals and plant remains were recovered from the burnt mound.
Project Details
Road project name N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass
Site name Kilshanny 3
Ministerial Order no. A040
E no. E2432
Site director James Lyttleton
Townland Kilshanny
Parish Brigown
Barony Condons Clangibbon
OS Map Sheet No. CO020
National Grid Reference 183418 113013
Chainage 13160
iii
10. issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
Acknowledgements
The senior archaeologist was John Tierney and the post-excavation managers were Penny
Johnston and Jacinta Kiely. Administration of the project was by Choryna Kiely and
Fiona Greene. Illustrations are by Ben Blakeman and Maurizio Toscano. Photographs are
by John Sunderland, Hawkeye and Eachtra Archaeological Projects. Specialist analysis
was carried out by Mary Dillon, Penny Johnston, and the 14 Chrono Centre at Queen’s
University Belfast. The project was funded by the Irish Government under the National
Development Plan 2007-2013 and was commissioned by Cork County Council on behalf
of the National Roads Authority. The project archaeologist was Ken Hanley.
iv
11. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
1 Scope of the project
The archaeological works associated with the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass was
carried out on behalf of Cork County Council, National Road Design Office, Rich-
mond, Glanmire, Co. Cork. The project was funded by the Irish Government under the
National Development Plan 2007-2013. The total archaeological cost was administered
by the National Roads Authority through Cork County Council as part of the Author-
ity’s commitment to protecting our cultural heritage. The purpose of the archaeological
services project was to conduct archaeological site investigations within the lands made
available, to assess the nature and extent of any potential new sites uncovered and to
preserve by record those sites of agreed archaeological significance, as approved by the
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in consultation with the
National Museum of Ireland.
Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in October
2005 under licence 05E1150 issued by Department of the Environment Heritage and Lo-
cal Government (DoEHLG). The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test for
any previously unknown sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing and to test
sites of archaeological potential identified in the EIS and geophysical surveying. Five Cul-
tural Heritage Sites were tested under individual excavation licences 05E1122-05E1126.
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. This phase of the project was carried out from September 2006 to Septem-
ber 2007 and excavations were conducted under the management of a Senior Archaeolo-
gist. A total of 28 sites were excavated during this phase of works under separate licences
issued by DoEHLG.
A post-excavation assessment and strategy document was prepared in Phase 3 of the
project to present a management strategy for dealing with post-excavation work arising
from archaeological works along the route of the new N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown By-
pass. It included a proposal for post-excavation and archiving work and a budget for the
works. The document detailed the location of the route, the receiving environment, the
archaeological and historical background, the scope of the project and the circumstances
and scope of fieldwork. The document presented a scheme-wide summary of the archaeo-
logical findings, a research framework within which the findings were dealt with and a
publication plan and dissemination strategy for the end results.
2 Route location
The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown road is located in the rich pastureland of
North Cork (Figure 1). The project involves the construction of c. 16 km of the N8 from
Gortore north of Fermoy to Carrigane north-east of Mitchelstown. The N8 Fermoy to
Mitchelstown road passes through the townlands of Gortore, Ballynacarriga, Glenwood,
Ballinglanna North, Ballinrush, Caherdrinny, Gortnahown, Ballybeg, Turbeagh, Glena-
1
12. issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
N
Derry
Donegal Antrim
Tyrone
Leitrim Fermanagh Armagh Down
Sligo
Cavan
Garryleagh 1 Carrigane 1
Louth
Mayo
Roscommon Longford E2433 E2434
Meath
Westmeath Dublin
Gal ay
w
Offaly
Kildare
Clare
Laois Wicklow Kildrum 1
Carlow E3971
Tippeary
r
Kilkenny
Wexford
Kilshanny 3
Kilshanny 3
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
N8 Waterford E2432
E2432
Kilshanny 2
E2431
Ballynamona 2 Kilshanny 1
E2429 E2430
Ballynamona 1
Glenatluckly 1 E2428
E2427
Gortnahown 2
E2426
Gortnahown 1 Gortnahown 3
E2423 E2477
Gortnahown 4
E3832
Caherdrinny 3
E2422
Caherdrinny 2
E2421
Caherdrinny 1
E2420
Ballinrush 1
E2419
Ballinglanna North 5
E2418
Ballinglanna North 4
E2417
Ballinglanna North 3
E2416
Ballinglanna North 6
E3972
Ballinglanna North 2
E2415
Ballinglanna North 1
E2414
Ballynacarriga 3
E2412
Ballynacarriga 2
E2413
Ballynacarriga 1
Key E2411
Post Medieval Gortore 1B
Early Medieval E2410
Gortore 2
Prehistoric Site
E3973
Prehistoric Settlement Site
Burnt Mound
Non-archaeological
0km 2km
Townland Boundaries
Figure 1: The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery Series map�
2
13. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
tlucky, Ballynamona, Kilshanny, Corracunna, Kildrum, Garryleagh, and Carrigane. The
townlands are located in the parishes of Kilcrumper, Glanworth and Brigown and Barony
of Condons Clangibbon, with the exception of Gortore, and Glenwood, which are
located in the Barony of Fermoy.
The route begins at the northern end of the Fermoy Bypass at Gortore, c. 2km north
of Fermoy, and continues northwards across the River Funshion, and to the west of the
Glencorra Stream, a tributary of the Funshion, for 4 km. At Caherdrinny, it crosses over
the western extremities of the Kilworth Mountains. From there it descends north-east-
wards onto the broad plain that extends east and north-eastwards from Mitchelstown. It
crosses the existing N8 at Gortnahown and passes to the east of Mitchelstown, crossing
the R665 Mitchelstown-Ballyporeen road and links up with the N8 Cashel Mitchelstown
Road at Carrigane south of Kilbeheny and 2 km west of where the borders of the Cork,
Limerick and Tipperary counties meet.
3 Receiving environment
The topography of East Cork and Waterford consists of east/west 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 Carbonifer-
ous 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 and
McConnell 1995, 1).
The landscape of the area is dominated by the Galtee Mountains to the north, the
Ballyhoura Mountains to the north-west, the Kilworth Mountains to the east and the
Nagles to the south. The landscape is drained by the Blackwater River, the Funshion
River (which flows into the Blackwater River c. 2 km north-east of Fermoy), and the
Glencorra Stream, a tributary of the Funshion River. The largest population centres in
the area, Fermoy and Mitchelstown, have developed on the banks of the River Blackwater
and Gradoge (a tributary of the Funshion), respectively.
The route begins at Gortore, c. 2 km north of Fermoy, at an elevation of c. 40 m OD.
At Caherdrinny, it rises to its maximum elevation of c. 180 m OD as it crosses over the
western extremities of the Kilworth Mountains, before descending onto the broad plain
that that extends east and north-eastwards from Mitchelstown, at an elevation of 100-120
m OD.
The soils on the southern portion of the route are characterised by acid brown earths
derived from mixed sandstone and limestone glacial till. These soils occur generally in
the valleys of Cork and Waterford (Gardiner and Radford 1980, 61), and have a wide use
range, being suitable for tillage and grass production. The soils on the western limits of
Kilworth Mountains are characterised by brown podzolics derived from sandstone. The
soils on the northern portion of the route are characterised by brown podzolics derived
from sandstone and shale glacial till. They have a wide range of potential uses and are well
3
14. issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
suited to arable and pastoral farming (ibid., 67). Land use along the route was almost en-
tirely grassland devoted to intensive dairying and cattle-rearing, with only an occasional
tillage field.
4 Archaeological and historical background
Archaeological sites of numerous periods were discovered along the route of the new
road (Figure 2). The periods are referred to as follows: Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC),
Neolithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC), Chalcolithic (Beaker) (c. 2500-2000 BC), Bronze Age
(c. 2000 to 500 BC), and Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500), early medieval period (c. AD
500 to 1100), medieval period (c. AD 1100 to 1650), post-medieval period (c. AD 1650 to
the present).
A number of Giant Irish Deer (Megaloceros giganteus) skulls, large antlers, antler frag-
ments and various long-bones were retrieved from the clay sediments, c. 1.5 m below the
peat stratum at Ballyoran Bog (04E1014) on the route of the N8 Rathcormac Fermoy.
A radiocarbon date of cal BC 11201-10962 was returned for the Giant Irish Deer. Gi-
ant Irish Deer are extinct but are known to have inhabited Ireland during two separate
periods in the Pleistocene (from 37,000-32,000 BP and 11,750-10,950 BP), with examples
from lake deposits beneath peat bogs frequently dating to the period between 11,750 BP
and 10,950 BP (Woodman et al. 1997). The Ballyoran Bog examples were found in this
typical location of lacustrine (lake) sediments beneath peat and they therefore pre-date
the beginnings of bog formation and the first human settlement of the area.
Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC)
The earliest known human settlement in Ireland dates from the Mesolithic period (c.
8000 BC - 4000 BC). In Munster, the majority of the evidence (flint scatters) for Meso-
lithic occupation has ‘come from the Blackwater valley in Co. Cork’ (Woodman 1989,
116). Flint scatters were recorded in the townlands of Kilcummer Lower (CO034-060)
on the northern bank of the Blackwater c. 13 km to the south-west of the route and in
Ballynamona (CO018-099) and Wallstown (CO018-100) on the northern and southern
sides of the Awbeg river respectively c. 20 km to the west of the route (Power et al. 2000,
2). Mesolithic sites and find spots were recorded on other road schemes in Co. Cork, these
included; Rath-healy 3 03E1678 and Curraghprevin 3 03E1138 (N8 Rathcormac Fermoy
Bypass), Ballynacarriaga 1 01E0567 (N25 Youghal Bypass), Ballinaspig More 5 01E0546
(N22 Ballincollig Bypass) and Carrigrohane 3 02E0431 (N22 BG).
Mesolithic activity was recorded on the route of the N8 Fermoy-Mitchelstown at
Gortore E2410 and at Caherdrinny 3 E2422 and Mesolithic stone tools were recovered
from Ballinglanna North 1 E2414, Ballinglanna North 3 E2416 and Ballinglanna North
6 E3972.
4
15. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
N
Derry
Donegal Antrim
Tyrone
Leitrim Fermanagh Armagh Down
Sligo
Cavan
Garryleagh 1 Carrigane 1
Louth
Mayo
Roscommon Longford E2433 E2434
Meath
Westmeath Dublin
Gal ay
w
Offaly
Kildare
Clare
Laois Wicklow Kildrum 1
Carlow E3971
Tippeary
r
Kilkenny
Wexford
Kilshanny 3
Kilshanny 3
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
N8 Waterford E2432
E2432
Kilshanny 2
E2431
Ballynamona 2 Kilshanny 1
E2429 E2430
Ballynamona 1
Glenatluckly 1 E2428
E2427
Gortnahown 2
E2426
Gortnahown 1 Gortnahown 3
E2423 E2477
Gortnahown 4
E3832
Caherdrinny 3
E2422
Caherdrinny 2
E2421
Caherdrinny 1
E2420
Ballinrush 1
E2419
Ballinglanna North 5
E2418
Ballinglanna North 4
E2417
Ballinglanna North 3
E2416
Ballinglanna North 6
E3972
Ballinglanna North 2
E2415
Ballinglanna North 1
E2414
Ballynacarriga 3
E2412
Ballynacarriga 2
E2413
Ballynacarriga 1
Key E2411
Post Medieval Gortore 1B
Early Medieval E2410
Gortore 2
Prehistoric Site
E3973
Prehistoric Settlement Site
Burnt Mound
Non-archaeological
0km 2km
Townland Boundaries
Figure 2: The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass overlain on the first edition Ordnance Survey map
CO010, 011, 019, 020, 027 and 028�
5
16. issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
N
Derry
Donegal Antrim
Tyrone
Leitrim Fermanagh Armagh Down
Sligo
Cavan
Garryleagh 1 Carrigane 1
Louth
Mayo
Roscommon Longford E2433 E2434
Meath
Westmeath Dublin
Gal ay
w
Offaly
Kildare
Clare
Laois Wicklow Kildrum 1
Carlow
RMP Sheet No. CO10 E3971
Tippeary
r
Kilkenny
RMP Sheet No. CO11
Wexford
Kilshanny 3
Kilshanny 3
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
N8 Waterford E2432
E2432
Kilshanny 2
E2431
Ballynamona 2 Kilshanny 1
E2429 E2430
Ballynamona 1
Glenatluckly 1 E2428
E2427
Gortnahown 2
E2426
Gortnahown 1 Gortnahown 3
E2423 E2477
Gortnahown 4
E3832
Caherdrinny 3
E2422
Caherdrinny 2
E2421
MP Sheet No. CO19
Caherdrinny 1 RMP Sheet No. CO20
E2420
Ballinrush 1
E2419
Ballinglanna North 5
E2418
Ballinglanna North 4
E2417
Ballinglanna North 3
E2416
Ballinglanna North 6
E3972
Ballinglanna North 2
E2415
Ballinglanna North 1
E2414
Ballynacarriga 3
E2412
Ballynacarriga 2
E2413
RMP Sheet No. CO27
Ballynacarriga 1
Key E2411
Post Medieval Gortore 1B
Early Medieval E2410
Gortore 2
Prehistoric Site
E3973
Prehistoric Settlement Site
Burnt Mound
Non-archaeological
0km 2km RMP Sheet No. CO28
Townland Boundaries
Figure 3: The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass overlain on the RMP map CO010, 011, 019, 020, 027 and
028� The map is based on the second edition Ordnance Survey maps�
6
17. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
Neolithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC)
The Neolithic Period is characterised by the introduction of agriculture and the begin-
nings of the clearance of the woodlands. The population increased and became more
sedentary in nature. A substantial Neolithic settlement site has been recorded at Lough
Gur, Co. Limerick. Previously the nearest known Neolithic house was located in Pepper-
hill (CO016-226/01) c. 30 km to the northwest of the route. It was recorded during the
construction of the Bruff-Mallow gas pipeline (Gowen 1988, 44-51).
The material culture includes the manufacture of pottery, flint and stone arrowheads,
scrapers, axes etc. The range of monuments types includes Megalithic tombs, single burial
graves and stone circles. Megalithic tombs can be sub-divided into court tombs, portal
tombs, passage tombs and wedge tombs. There are few wedge tombs or stone circles
known from north or east Cork. Two of the exceptions are wedge tombs located at Lab-
bacallee (CO027-086), which is one of the largest wedge tombs in the country, and at
Manning (CO027-091) both located c. 4 km west of the N8.
Recent infrastructural work on the N8 Rathcormac to Fermoy and the Ballincollig
Bypass have added significantly to the number of Neolithic sites in the county. A Neo-
lithic house was excavated at Gortore (E2119), on the N8 Rathcormac to Fermoy road
and another Neolithic house was excavated at Barnagore (02E0384), along the route of
the Ballincollig Bypass. Both of these Cork examples produced essentially the same ra-
diocarbon results (cal BC 3940-3620 at Barnagore and cal BC 3928-3655 from Gortore)
and they represent the oldest known houses in the county. A single pit at Fermoy town-
land (05E0078), located c. 3 km to the south of Gortore, produced 12 sherds of a Middle
Neolithic Globular bowl, and another site at Curraghprevin (c.12 km south of Gortore)
produced Western Neolithic (Early Neolithic) pottery and a radiocarbon date of 3090-
2580 BC (Late Neolithic).
Rectangular Neolithic houses were recorded on the route of the N8 FM at Gortore
1b (E2410), Ballinglanna North 3 (E2416) and Caherdrinny 3 (E2422). A large enclosure
containing several structures associated with Late Neolithic pottery was excavated at Bal-
lynacarriaga 3 (E2412). Activity dating to the Neolithic was also recorded at Ballynamona
1 (E2428), Ballynamona 2 (E2429), and Gortnahown 2 (E2426) and Gortore 2 (E3973).
Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 500 BC)
The Bronze Age is characterised by the introduction of metallurgy and an increase in
settlement and burial sites. Copper ores were mined and copper, bronze and gold items
manufactured. The range of burial site types includes cist graves, pit and urn burials,
cremation cemeteries, barrows, ring-ditches and wedge tombs. Stone circles and stand-
ing 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 generally situated close to
a water source. Fulachta fiadh are generally classified as ‘cooking places’, whereby stones
7
18. issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
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 wa-
ter. The trough eventually filled with small stones, ash and charcoal that were removed,
forming the basis of the familiar mound.
The Bronze Age cemetery site at Mitchelstowndown West, c. 16 km to the north of
Mitchelstown, contains 53 small barrows. The Discovery Programme Report 1 (Daly and
Grogan 1992, 44) selected four of this group for excavation.
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. 2.5 km to the west of the N8 (Power et al. 2000, 210). A house site was excavated at
Killydonoghoe on the route of the N8 Glanmire-Watergrasshill Bypass (Sherlock 2003).
Three circular houses dating to the Middle Bronze Age were excavated at Mitchelstown
(04E1072) on the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road. A large Bronze Age settlement site con-
sisting of three circular enclosures and three circular houses was excavated in 2003 at
Ballybrowney (03E1058), on the route of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy (Cotter 2005, 40).
Bronze Age round houses were recorded on the route of the N8 Fermoy – Mitchel-
stown at Kilshanny 1 (E2432) and Ballynamona 2 (E2429). Burnt mounds/fulachta fiadh
sites were recorded at Ballinglanna North 1 (E2414), Ballinglanna North 3 (E2416), Ball-
inglanna North 6 (E3972), Ballynamona 2 (E2429), Caherdrinny 1 (E2420), Kilshanny
3 (E2432) and Kildrum 1 (E3971). Two ring ditches and associated cists and pits burials
were recorded at Ballynacarriga 3 (E2412). Portions of several encrusted urns and food
vessels dating to the Early Bronze Age were recorded in association with the burials. A
cremation burial and associated Early Bronze Age urn were also recorded at Glenatlucky
(E2427).
Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500)
Until the last decade there was 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 culture of this period is limited. Linear earthworks,
believed to have marked tribal boundaries, and hillforts are two of the most visible monu-
ments of the period. Recent infrastructural work on the N22 Ballincollig Bypass, the N8
Glanmire Watergrasshill Bypass and the M8 Rathcormac Fermoy has altered the picture
considerably.
Three separate stretches of a linear boundary, the Claidh Dubh, have been recorded in
County Cork. The longest stretch, c. 24 km in length extends from the Nagle Mountains,
across the Blackwater valley and into the Ballyhoura Hills. Radiocarbon dating following
excavation of a section of it revealed it dated to some time before AD100 (Doody 1995,
23).
Two of the four hillfort sites in Cork are located in North Cork (Power et al. 2000,
205). Caherdrinny (CO019:97/0103) is located at the western end of the Kilworth
Mountains, c. 700 m to the west of the N8, Corrin (CO035:49/01) is located at the east-
8
19. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
ern end of the Nagle Mountains, overlooking a pass between the Blackwater and Bride
river valleys just south of Fermoy.
Iron Age dates were returned from a roundhouse at Ballinaspig More 5 01E0546,
a possible bowl furnace at Curraheen 1 01E1209 and the fulacht fiadh at Curraheen 4
02E1297 on the N22 Ballincollig Bypass; the Iron Age structure at Muckridge 1 01E0429
on the N25 Youghal Bypass; iron working sites at Kilrussane 01E0701 and Trabstown
01E0501 on the N8 Glanmire Watergrasshill Bypass; the iron working site at Lisnagar De-
mesne 1 03E1510, the pit at Maulane East 1 03E1286, the pit at Scartbarry 3 03E1800, the
corn-drying kiln at Rath-healy 1 03E1139, the burnt mound at Fermoy Wood 04E1014
and the ring ditch at Ballybrowney Lower 3 05E0233 all on the M8 Rathcormac Fermoy.
Activity dating to the Iron Age was recorded on the route of the N8 Fermoy – Mitch-
elstown at Ballinglanna North 3 E2416, Ballinglanna North 4 E2417, Ballynacarriaga
3 E2412, Gortnahown 1 E2423, Gortnahown 3 E2477 and Caherdrinny 3 E2422. The
sites, with the exception of a single fire pit at Ballinglanna North 4 E2417, did not date
exclusively to the Iron Age.
5 Site Location and Topography
Kilshanny 3 was located on low poorly drained ground, 80 -100 m OD, c. 1.5 km east of
Mitchelstown. A fulacht fiadh, dating to the Early Bronze Age was excavated at Kildrum
E3971, 500 m to the north of the site, and a fulacht fiadh and settlement site, dating to
the Middle Bronze Age was excavation at Ballynamona 2 E2429, 700 m to the south.
6 Excavation methodology
The excavation was carried out under E-Number E2432 and complied with the method
statement approved by the Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Govern-
ment, in consultation with the National Museum of Ireland. The site was mechanically
stripped of topsoil under strict archaeological supervision. Stripping was done with a
tracked machine with a flat toothless bucket. Where appropriate mini-diggers were used,
and in the larger areas to be stripped multiple large tracked machines were used; all strip-
ping operations involved the use of multiple dumpers for topsoil mounding. Topsoil strip-
ping commenced in the areas of identified archaeology and continued radially outward
until the limit of the road take was reached or until the limit of the archaeological re-
mains was fully defined. A grid was set up in the excavation area(s) and all archaeological
features were sufficiently cleaned, recorded and excavated so as to enable an accurate and
meaningful record of the site to be preserved. The excavation, environmental sampling,
site photographs, site drawings, find care and retrieval, on-site recording and site archive
was as per the Procedures for Archaeological works as attached to the licence method
statements for excavation licences.
9
20. issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
The site was excavated over a 6 week period from 7 November 2006 to 15 December
2006 by a crew of six people. Only areas within the CPO were resolved. The full extent of
the area of excavation measured 1088 m2. The full record of excavated contexts is recorded
in the context register (Appendix 1) and the stratigraphic matrix (Appendix 2). Detailed
stratigraphic descriptions are found in the groups and sub-groups text (Appendix 3).
7 Excavation results
The full record of excavated contexts is recorded in the context register (Appendix 1) and
the stratigraphic matrix (Appendix 2). Detailed stratigraphic descriptions are found in the
groups and sub-groups text (Appendix 3).
This site comprised a mound of burnt mound material which overlay a trough, two
pits and a post-hole (Figure 4, plate 1). The mound was disturbed by modern agricultural
activities.
The burnt mound layers
The burnt mound (C.5) consisted of a large area of dark black stony silt measuring 19.9 m
in length, 19.4 m in width and 0.3 m in depth (Plate 2). Modern pottery and fragments of
iron nails were recovered from the main layer demonstrating the level of disturbance on
this fulacht fiadh. Four additional layers (C.41, C.42, C.43 and C.45) underlay the main
layer of the mound. Three of these were associated with the earliest use of the mound.
Layer C.41 was re-deposited natural. It may have been deposited as a result of the con-
struction of the pit C.14.
Two smaller isolated patches of burnt mound material were recorded (C.38 and C.50)
outside the main extent of the mound. The spread found to the north of the mound
(C.38) measured 0.3 m and 0.2 m in depth and the spread found to the south of the
mound (C.50) measured 1.6 m in length and 0.2 m in depth. These spreads were probably
a continuation of the main mound, disrupted by modern activities.
The Trough
The trough (C.24) was recorded underneath the burnt mound material (C.5) at the cen-
tre of the fulacht fiadh. It measured 2.54 m in length, 1.6 m in width and 0.56 m in
depth (Figure 5, Plate 3). It was rectangular in shape with a step into the trough at the
south west end (Plate 4). The total capacity was 2.28 m3. It was filled by four deposits,
all of which were similar in colour and composition to the burnt mound material (C.5).
These deposits originated from the trough itself as waste material and have been either
re-deposited within the trough after it was abandoned, or were the result of silting in the
trough while it was in use.
10
21. 183412 183436
±
Kilshanny 3-E2432
9
113020
113020
Field ditch
14
O
)
94 m O.D.
Trough
24
30 53
113000
113000
0 25 m
183412 183436
Figure 4: Post-excavation plan of Kilshanny 3�
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
11
23. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
Plate 1: View of layers of burnt mound material at Kilshanny 3�
Plate 2: Mid-excavation of the layers of burnt mound material from south-east�
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24. issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
Plate 3: Mid-excavation of the trough C�24 from south�
There was no water souce in the immediate vicinity of the site but rising ground water
would have served as a water source for the trough. The underlying subsoil was a yellow
clay which is suitable for water retention.
The Associated Features
Two pits (C.14 and C.53) were located to the east of the trough and a post-hole (C.30)
to the south. The larger of the two pits (C.14) was located 0.2 m to the north-east of the
trough and was heat-scorched on the sides of the cut. This indicates that this was most
probably the source of burnt stones that were used in the main trough. The smaller pit
was located 2.1 m to the south-east of the trough and was filled by burnt mound material
(Plate 5).
Context Length (m) Width (m) Depth (m) Volume (m3)
14 1.4 1.05 0.25 0.36
53 1.24 0.94 0.14 0.16
30 0.58 0.52 0.11
Table 1 Dimensions of pits and post-hole�
A large post-hole was located 0.7 m south of the trough.
14
25. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
Plate 4: Post-excavation of the trough C�24 from west�
Plate 5: Mid-excavation of the pit C�53 from west�
15
27. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
8 Discussion
A fulacht fiadh was recorded on low marginal ground. The layers of burnt mound mate-
rial overlay a trough and two pits. Many theories speculate as to the actual use of burnt
mound/fulacht fiadh sites (e.g. O’Kelly 1954; Ó Drisceoil 1988). We recognise the sites
archaeologically by the remains of charcoal and heat shattered stones but as Ó Néill
(2004) points out, these are the remains of a technology (the use of hot stones known as
‘pyrolithic technology’), rather than specific indications of the aims of the process. The
large trough and smaller pits indicate that there was extensive use of hot stone technology
at this site and that it was probably used for heating water.
Burnt mounds are the most common Bronze Age sites found in Ireland. Estimates
suggest that at least 4,500 examples are known, over 3,000 in Co. Cork and an usual high
density specifically in North Cork (Power 2000). The characteristic site-type is found in
low-lying and damp ground and consists of a mound of charcoal-rich black sediment that
is packed with heat shattered stones and forms a horse-shoe shape around a pit or trough
that filled with water. In many cases all that survives to the present day are black charcoal
rich deposits with fragments of shattered stones visible in ploughed fields.
These sites are associated with the process of roasting stones to heat water. The remains
of these ‘pyrolithic technologies’ (terminology follows Ó Néill 2004) produce the tell-tale
deposits rich in charcoal and heat-affected stone. Debate continues about their use, as hot
water is required for many processes including cooking, brewing, washing, dyeing and,
most recently it has been argued that some burnt mounds were primarily used to boil and
cure meat for long term storage (Roycroft 2006).
Traditionally these sites have been interpreted as ancient cooking places, where large
stones were heated in fires and then added to the water filled trough the extreme heat
of the stones eventually heating the water in the trough until it reached boiling point.
Experimental cooking at reconstructed sites such as Ballyvourney (O’Kelly 1954) has
demonstrated that meat wrapped in straw and placed into a boiling trough can be cooked
quite effectively. The perceived lack of any animal bones from these excavated sites has
been used as an argument against this theory. More recently however there is a growing
corpus of sites which have produced animal bone (Tourunen 2008).
The traditional perception of the burnt mound site is that they are isolated features
on the landscape situated on marginal ground away from settlement. Recent studies how-
ever are requiring a re-evaluation of this perception. It can be regarded as certain that
the settlement sites and associated burnt mounds are only one part of a wider prehistoric
landscape which also includes lithic production and metalworking sites as well as burial
sites (Sternke 2009).
The inventory for North Cork lists over 1600 burnt mounds located in North Co.
Cork. (Power 2002) (Figure 6). Many more have been recorded since the inventory was
published. A total of seven burnt mounds including Kilshanny 3 were excavated on the
N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown. Three burnt mound sites were excavated on the N8 Mitch-
elstown Relief Road, and 12 on the N8 Mitchelstown to Cashel.
17
28. 174694 189694
18
GA LTY MOU NTAINS
AI N S
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112074
112074
issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237
e
Fa dog
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174694 189694
Barrow (24) Cairn (3) Fulacht Fiadh (162) Lithic Scatter (5) Standing stone (19) 0 10
Burial (30) Cave (3) Kerb circle (2) Settlement (16) Kilometres
Figure 6: Bronze Age sites on and in the environs of the N8 Fermoy Mitchelstown�
¢
archaEological Excavation rEport
29. Kilshanny 3-E2432 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2432-kilshanny3-co-cork/
Site Name E No. Radiocarbon date (2 sigma) cal BC Period
Ballinglanna North 1 E2414 cal BC 766-537 529-524 Late Bronze Age
Ballinglanna North 3 E2416 cal BC 2293-2140 Early Bronze Age
Ballinglanna North 3 E2416 cal BC 1750-1628 Early Bronze Age
Ballinglanna North 3 E2416 cal BC 1740-1627 Early Bronze Age
Ballinglanna North 6 E3972 cal BC 1902-1737 1710-1696 Early Bronze Age
Ballynamona 2 E2429 cal BC 1393-1209 1198-1196 1138-1135 Middle Bronze Age
Ballynamona 2 E2429 cal BC 1492-1476 1460-1371 1346-1316 Middle Bronze Age
Kildrum E3971 cal BC 2138-2011 2000-1978 Early Bronze Age
Kildrum E3971 cal BC 2434-2421 2404-2379 2349-2199 Early Bronze Age
Kilshanny 3 E2432 cal BC 978-829 Late Bronze Age
Table 3: Radiocarbon dates from the burnt mound sites on the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown
Most dated burnt mound sites have a focus of activity in the Middle to Late Bronze
Age (Brindley and Lanting 1990; and see graph of dates in Ó Néill 2003/2004). In all
ten radiocarbon dates were obtained from the burnt mound sites on the route of the N8
Fermoy Mitchelstown Bypass. The majority of the sites are Early Bronze Age in date. The
site at Kilshanny 3 is dated to the Late Bronze Age.
There are six main types of archaeological features encountered at burnt mound sites;
wells/springs, layers/deposits, hearths, trough/boiling pits, smaller pits, and stakeholes/
postholes. Five of the six feature types were recorded at Kilshanny 3. There is no obvious
water source in proximity to the site. It is likely that rising ground water provided the
necessary raw material of water. A number of land drains were recorded in the area of the
excavation.
The mound at Kilshanny 3 was well preserved. It survived to a height of 0.3m. It was
composed of layers of heat shattered stone mixed with charcoal.
There was one substantial trough recorded at the site. It was rectangular in plan. There
was no evidence that the trough was lined. The other two possible pits had a limited ca-
pacity for boiling water, less that 1 m³. If a trough was too small the water would boil off
very quickly. They may have held containers made from organic material such as baskets
or wooden buckets and one may have functioned as a hearth.
A small quantity of charred cereals and seeds were recovered from the main layer in the
mound of burnt material and the fill of the trough. The cereals included small amounts
of wheat, indeterminate cereal grains and weed seeds. Plant remains from fulachta fiadh
are generally poor and studies of plant remains from 132 burnt mound sites indicate that
cereal remains were recorded at less than 8% of examined sites. The remains were always
preserved by charring and were recorded in very small quantities (IADG 2007). Plant
remains were not recorded at any of the other burnt mound sites on the route of the N8,
with the exception of Ballinglanna North 1 E2414 where it is likely they were introduced
in the early medieval period.
Hazel, oak, and alder wood were the most common wood types identified at Kilshanny
3 burnt mound site. Ash, Prunus and willow/poplar were also recorded in small amounts.
This suggests that these were the most common trees growing in the area at the time.
A similar range of species were identified at burnt mound sites at Kildrum E3971 and
19
30. issUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
Ballinglanna North 6 E3972. The wood assemblages at Ballinglanna North 3 E2416 and
Ballynamona 2 E2429 were dominated by oak and smaller amounts of alder and hazel,
pomoideae, ash, willow/poplar and prunus were also represented. The differences in the
charcoal assemblages would suggest that the wood was selected on the basis of what was
growing nearby.
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