Archaeological Report - Gortnahown 3, Co. Cork (Ireland)

Issue 10 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation ReportE2477 - Gortnahown 3, Co. Cork

Prehistoric activity

Eachtra Journal

May 2011

Archaeological Excavation Report

Co Cork

Cork County Council

Julianna O'Donoghue, Debbie Leigh & Penny Johnston

Gortnahown 3

EACHTRAArchaeological Projects

E No:

:

Project:

Client:

E2477

N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown

Julianna O'DonoghueExcavation Director

Written by:

Prehistoric activity at

CORKThe Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork

tel: 021 4701616 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: [email protected]

GALWAY Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway

tel: 091 763673 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: [email protected]

Archaeological Excavation Report

Gortnahown 3Co Cork

Excavation Director

Julianna O'Donoghue

Written By

Julianna O'Donoghue, Debbie Leigh & Penny Johnston

EACHTRAArchaeological Projects

© 2011 The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork

Set in 12pt Garamond

Printed in Ireland

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Table of ContentsSummary��iii

Acknowledgements�� iv

1 Scopeoftheproject�� 1

2 Routelocation�� 1

3 Receivingenvironment�� 3

4 Archaeologicalandhistoricalbackground�� 4

5 SiteLocationandTopography�� 11

6 Excavationmethodology�� 11

7 Excavationresults�� 13

8 Discussion��22

9 References��25

Appendix1 StratigraphicIndex��28

Appendix2 Sitematrix�� 37

Appendix3 Groupsandsubgroups�� 39

Appendix4 Findsregister��45

Appendix5 Plantremains�� 47

Appendix6 Lithicsreport��49

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List of FiguresFigure1: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainontheOrdnance

SurveyDiscoverySeriesmap�� 2

Figure2: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainontheRMPmapCO010, 011, 019, 020, 027 and 028� The map is based on the second editionOrdnanceSurveymaps�� 5

Figure3: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainonthefirsteditionOrdnanceSurveymapCO010,011,019,020,027and028��10

Figure4: Post-excavationplanofGortnahown3E2477�� 12

Figure5: Post-excavationplanofthesouth-westernsectionofthesiteatGortnahown3E2477�� 14

Figure6: Post-excavationplanofthenorth-easternsectionofthesiteatGortnahown3E2477�18

Figure7: SherdsofDomesticCordonedUrn:E2477:39:1,3and8Vessel3andE2477:48:1Vessel4��21

Figure8: TopographicalmapshowingthelocationofGortnahown1E2423,Gortnahown2E2426andGortnahown3E2477��23

List of PlatesPlate1: Mid-excavationviewofirregularpitandpossibletreethrow(C�42),fromeast�� 15

Plate2: Post-excavationviewofirregularpitandpossibletreethrow(C�60),fromsouth�� 15

Plate3: Pre-excavationviewofpossiblestonesurface(C�38)fromnorth��16

Plate4: Post-excavationviewofhearth(C�75)fromsouth�� 17

Plate5: Mid-excavationviewofhearth(C�66)andsurroundingstake-holes,fromsouth�� 17

Plate6: Mid-excavationviewofpost-hole(C�35)fromsouth��20

Plate7: Post-excavationviewofpost-hole(C�33)fromsouth��20

List of TablesTable1: DetailsofpitsexcavatedinthewesternpartofGortnahown3�� 13

Table2: DetailsofasinglepitexcavatedintheeasternpartofGortnahown3�� 19

Table3: DetailsofthepostholesC�33andC�37�� 19

Table4: Radiocarbondates��22

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http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2477-gortnahown3-co-cork/Gortnahown 3-E2477

SummaryThe 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.

Road project name N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown BypassSite name Gortnahown 3Ministerial Order no. A040E no. E2477Site director Julianna O’DonoghueTownland GortnahownParish GlanworthBarony Condons & ClangibbonOS Map Sheet No. CO019National Grid Reference 181148 109732

iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEoloGical Excavation rEport

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AcknowledgementsThe 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, Enda O’Mahony and Maurizio Tosca-no. Photographs are by John Sunderland, Hawkeye and Eachtra Archaeological Projects. Specialist analysis was carried out by Mary Dillon, Penny Johnston, Margaret McCarthy, Helen Roche and Eoin Grogan, Farina Sternke, 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.

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http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2477-gortnahown3-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 locationThe 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-

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Figure1: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainontheOrdnanceSurveyDiscoverySeriesmap�

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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 environmentThe 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


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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 backgroundArchaeological 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.

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Figure2: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainontheRMPmapCO010,011,019,020,027and028�ThemapisbasedonthesecondeditionOrdnanceSurveymaps�


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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 500BC)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

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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 (CO019:97/01&03) 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-


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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.

Early medieval period (c. AD 500 to 1100)The early medieval period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. The characteristic monument type of the period is the ringfort. Ringforts are the most nu-merous archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30,000 and 50,000 illustrated on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s (Barry 1987). As a result of continued research, the construction of these monuments has a narrow date range during the early medieval period between the 7th and 9th centuries AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts, they often take the form of a simple earth or stone enclosure functioning as settlements for all classes of secu-lar society (Stout 1997).

A major research excavation of two ringforts was undertaken at Lisleagh, c. 2.5 km to the west of the N8 route, in the late 1980s/early1990s. Structural, domestic and industrial evidence was recorded at both sites. A number of stake and wattle round houses, and ironworking were recorded in Lisleagh I, which had two phases of occupation, ranging from the early 7th century to the 9th century AD (Monk 1995, 105-116).

Souterrains, frequently associated with ringforts and enclosures, are man made un-derground chambers linked by narrow passageways. The concealed entrance is located at ground level. It is thought souterrains were used for storage or places of refuge during times of trouble (Clinton 2001). It has also been hypothesised that some may have been used for housing slaves.

The monastery of Brigown (which gave the name to the modern parish in Mitchel-stown) was founded in the 7th century by Fanahan. Fanahan is reputed to have com-missioned seven smiths to make seven sickles which were used by him for self-mortifica-tion. The new monastery was named, Brí Gabhann, for the smiths (Power 1996, 3). The ecclesiastical remains comprise a church, graveyard, holy well and site of round tower

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(CO019:30/01-05). A possible enclosure site with evidence of metalworking was excavated by John Purcell in Brigown. This was possibly the enclosure of Brigown. No dates were obtained from the site (John Purcell personal communication).

A ringfort and associated souterrain (CO027-109) were excavated on the route of the N8 Fermoy – Mitchelstown at Ballynacarriga 2 (E2413). Two circular houses and a com-prehensive range of metalworking activities were excavated at Gortnahown 2 (E2426). Sites with evidence of metalworking activities were also excavated at Ballynamona 2 (E2429) and Ballinglanna North 1 (E2412).

High and later medieval periods (c. AD 1100 to 1650)This period is characterized by the arrival of the Anglo-Normans and the building of tower houses. Mitchelstown was formerly known as Brigown / Mitchelstown (CO019-149). It was listed as a market town in 1299 and was located on the southern bank of the Gradoge River, to the east of Mitchelstown Castle (Power et al. 2000, 595). The town developed under the patronage of the House of Desmond. It passed into the hands of the Earls of Kingston in the 17th century (Power 1996, 23).

The Condon family controlled the barony of Condons and Clongibbon. Two of their castles are located in close vicinity to the route of the N8 FM. Cloghleagh Castle (CO027:113) is located on the northern bank of the Funshion River to the east of the new route. It was built on an outcrop of limestone bedrock. It is a 5-storey tower with associated bawn wall (Power et al. 2000, 537). Caherdrinny Castle (CO019:97/02) is lo-cated to the west of the route. It was a 5-storey tower built within the hillfort enclosure (CO019:97/01&03). Glanworth Castle (Boherash CO027-42) is located on a sheer lime-stone cliff overlooking the River Funshion 5 km to the west of the route. The 13th-century hall house is associated with a four-sided walled enclosure (ibid. 516).

Post-medieval period (c. 1650 to the present).The post-medieval period is characterised by mills, limekilns, workhouses, country hous-es and associated demesnes, vernacular buildings and field systems (Figure 3). Three de-mesnes associated with country houses are within the route of the N8 at Moorepark, Ballynacarriga and Glenwood. The estate system was dismantled in Ireland in the early 20th century. Demesnes usually comprise of a large country house with associated stables, farm buildings and gate lodges, areas of woodland and ornamental gardens etc. The de-mesne was usually enclosed by a high stone wall such as that associated with Moorepark. Moorepark house and demesne was the seat of the Earls Mountcashell (Lewis 1988, 312). The Moorepark Estate covered an area around 800 acres and extended both north and south of the river Funshion. The house was sold to the British War Office c. 1903 by the 5th Earl’s daughter (Bence-Jones 1996, 211). It burned down in 1908 and was never rebuilt. No trace of it now survives The demesne is clearly defined by woodland on the 1841-2 and 1906 edition Ordnance Survey maps, which was most likely enclosed by a

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N8

RMP Sheet No. CO10RMP Sheet No. CO11

MP Sheet No. CO19 RMP Sheet No. CO20

RMP Sheet No. CO27

RMP Sheet No. CO28

Key

Townland Boundaries

Gortore 1BE2410

Gortore 2E3973







Ballinrush 1E2419

Caherdrinny 1E2420

Caherdrinny 2E2421

Caherdrinny 3E2422

Gortnahown 1E2423

Gortnahown 2E2426

Gortnahown 3E2477

Glenatluckly 1E2427

Ballynamona 2E2429

Ballynamona 1E2428

Garryleagh 1E2433

Carrigane 1E2434

Kilshanny 3E2432

Kilshanny 2E2431

Kilshanny 1E2430

Kildrum 1E3971



Gortnahown 4E3832


Gortnahown 3E2477

N

0km 2km


Post Medieval

Early Medieval

Prehistoric Site

Burnt Mound

Non-archaeological


10

Figure3: The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass overlain on the first edition Ordnance Survey mapCO010,011,019,020,027and028�

Gortnahown 3-E2477

11


wall. It is likely that the demesne walls are contemporary with the mansion house and therefore date to the 18th century. The Cork to Dublin mail coach road originally ran to west of the demesne walls as it appears on the 1841-2 and 1906 Ordnance Survey maps.

The site of a workhouse (C0019-11301-) built in 1852 is located in Kilshanny townland to the east of Mitchelstown. The complex of buildings, including a hospital chapel and mortuary, was enclosed within a three-metre high limestone wall and could accommo-date up to 600 people. Closed in 1916 and burned by the IRA in 1922, only the boundary wall and main entrance way survive today (Power 2002, 48).

A late 19th century bridge of rubble limestone approached by a causeway at either end and carrying a tertiary road from Kilworth-Glanworth over the Glencorra Stream. A road crosses the stream at the same location on the 1841-2 Ordnance survey map, but the bridging structure is not named. The site is named Glencorra Bridge on the 1906 Ordnance Survey map. This site is of local architectural significance.

5 Site Location and TopographyThe site is located at a height of 135 m OD at the base of the Kilworth Mountains. The Gradoge River, flowing in a north-easternly direction, and the present N8 Fermoy-Mitch-elstown were located to the west.

6 Excavation methodologyThe excavation was carried out under E-Number E2426 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 The site was mechanically stripped of topsoil under strict archaeologi-cal 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 stripping operations involved the use of multiple dumpers for topsoil mounding. Topsoil stripping 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 remains 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.

The site was excavated from 23 April 2007 to 1 June 2007. Only areas within the CPO were resolved. The full extent of the area of excavation measured 789 m2.

42

60

88

81

50

63

49

23

3375

25

59

9293

1217

83

79

90

77

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8091

89

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67

58

68

11

181146

181146

181165

181165

1097

25

1097

25

1097

50

1097

50

±

0 20 m

)O135 m O.D.

Hearths


12

Figure4: Post-excavationplanofGortnahown3E2477�

Gortnahown 3-E2477

13


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 resultsExcavation at Gortnahown 3 revealed that the main concentration of archaeological ac-tivity was in the eastern part of the site, where pits, a hearth, a stone surface and associated stake-holes were excavated. There was one isolated hearth near the middle of the site and near the western limit of the site there was a small hearth that was surrounded by numer-ous stake-holes (Figure 4).

Western pits and associated featuresThe main concentration of archaeological features at Gortnahown 3 was found in the western part of the site. It included eight pits (C.23, C.42, C.49, C.50, C.60, C.63 and C.81), a stone surface (C.38), a single post-hole (C.25), a hearth (C.87) and seven associat-ed stake-holes (C.12, C.13, C.14, C.15, C.16, C.17 and C.76). An arc of seven stake-holes (C.77, C.78, C.79, C.80, C.91, C.92 and C.93) and four more isolated stake-holes (C.59, C.83, C.89 and C.90) were also excavated (Figure 5).

Context Shape in plan Artefacts and ecofacts Length (m) Width (m) Depth (m)C.23 Circular Domestic Cordoned Urn Vessel

10.5 0.5 0.08

C.42 Irregular (tree bowl)

Domestic Cordoned Urn Vessels 2 & 3

3.6 1.3 0.6

C.49 Sub-circular 0.51 0.48 0.08C.50 Rectangular Domestic Cordoned Urn Vessel

4 Flint core

0.35 0.29 0.07

C.60 Irregular (tree bowl)

3 1.12 0.25

C.63 Circular Indeterminate cereal 0.52 0.45 0.09C.81 Sub-circular 1.12 0.95 0.17C.88 Sub-circular Flint debitage 1.75 1.1 0.17

Table1:DetailsofpitsexcavatedinthewesternpartofGortnahown3

Because of their irregular nature, two of these were interpreted as tree bowls or tree throws (C.42 and C.60), i.e. the cavity in the ground that remained when a tree fell or was removed from the ground. The remains of two pottery vessels were recovered from one of these tree bowls, C.42 (Plate 1). This evidence suggests that tree-fall disturbed an earlier area of settlement or, alternatively, the hollows left by fallen trees were used as convenient places for the dumping of waste and cultural material. This phenomenon is relatively well known from sites in England where Neolithic and Bronze Age material has been identi-fied (Evans et al. 1999, 247). As the remaining pottery from Gortnahown 3 was recovered

42

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49

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92

93

12

80

15

17

83

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16

89

79

90

77

91

7614

78

87

±

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Hearth


14

Figure5: Post-excavationplanofthesouth-westernsectionofthesiteatGortnahown3E2477�

Gortnahown 3-E2477

15


Plate1: Mid-excavationviewofirregularpitandpossibletreethrow(C�42),fromeast�

Plate2: Post-excavation view of ir-regular pit and possible treethrow(C�60),fromsouth�


16

from two other pits (C.23 and C.50) it is possible that the tree bowls were later features that disturbed Middle Bronze Age settlement evidence at the site.

A stone surface (C.38) was found in the south-east of the site (Plate 2). It was 2.78 m in length and 1.34 m in width. It was probably part of a larger surface that has since been destroyed. It was most likely created for easier access in this area of the site and was prob-ably related to nearby pits (C.88 and C.81).

A hearth (C.87) manifested itself as an area of burnt subsoil that was 0.99 m in length and 0.50m in width and it was overlain by a charcoal-rich spread (C.11). This hearth was associated with a post-hole (C.25) and seven stake-holes (C.12, C.13, C.14, C.15, C.16, C.17 and C.76) were associated with the hearth. These features, clustered in the vicinity of the hearth, may represent hearth furniture, perhaps indicating the presence of a spit or grill-like structure over the hearth.

A small arc of seven stake-holes (C.77, C.78, C.79, C.80, C.91, C.92 and C.93) was located near the centre of the site. It was probably evidence of a windbreak or a similar structure. However, this structure was not obviously associated with any other features at the site.

A total of four stake-holes (C.59, C.83, C.89 and C.90) were isolated and were prob-ably not associated with any structure, perhaps they simply represent the insertion of single stakes. There is no obvious clue as to their original function, the single stake-hole (C.59) was located close to the possible tree throw, C.60 (Plate 2) and two stake-holes

Plate3: Pre-excavationviewofpossiblestonesurface(C�38)fromnorth�

Gortnahown 3-E2477

17


Plate4: Post-excavationviewofhearth(C�75)fromsouth�

Plate5: Mid-excavationviewofhearth(C�66)andsurroundingstake-holes,fromsouth�

Hearth

Hearth

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75

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Gortnahown 3-E2477

19


(C.89 and C.90) were located close to the pit (C.88). The remaining stake-hole (C.83) was an isolated feature.

Isolated hearthA single isolated hearth, C.75 (Plate 4) lay between the main concentration of activity to the east of the site and the group of features clustered around another hearth (C.66) near the western limit of the site (Figure 6). The small hearth (C.75) was 0.36m in length, 0.28m in width and 0.08m in depth and it contained a charcoal-rich fill. It was extremely small and it was possibly the remains of a fire that was created inside a natural hollow. An Iron Age date of cal AD 28–128 (UB–12982) was returned from hazel/alder charcoal from the hearth.

Eastern hearth and associated featuresA small concentration of archaeological activity was found clustered around a hearth (C.66) near the eastern limit of the site. Activity also included a pit (C.58). A small amount of hazelnut shells, weed seeds and barley grains were recovered from the fills of the pit.

Context Shape in plan Artefacts Length (m) Width (m) Depth (m)

C.58 Sub-rectangular 0.46 0.26 0.16Table2:DetailsofasinglepitexcavatedintheeasternpartofGortnahown3

The hearth (C.66) was circular in plan and had a flat base. It was 0.42 m in diameter and it was 0.05 m deep. It contained a single fill (C.44) of dark black silt with inclu-sions of pebbles, charcoal and fragments of burnt animal bone. The animal bone and the stake-holes surrounding the hearth indicate that it was probably used for cooking. A Late Bronze Age date of cal BC 910-815 (UB–12981) was returned from hazel/alder charcoal from the hearth. The hearth (C.66) was surrounded by eighteen stake-holes (C.51, C.52, C.53, C.54, C.55, C.56, C.57, C.61, C.62, C.67, C.68, C.69, C.70, C.71, C.72, C.73, C.74 and C.82). These could represent the remains of a windbreak or a spit structure used at the hearth (Plate 5).Two post-holes, C.33 (Plate 6) and C.35 (Plate 7) were found 4 m north-east of the hearth and the associated features. These post-holes were very similar and were probably in use at the same time.

Post-hole Shape in plan Length (m) Width (m) Depth (m)C.33 Circular 0.36 0.33 0.43C.35 Circular 0.35 0.32 0.46

Table3:DetailsofthepostholesC�33andC�37

As these were located close to the limit of the site it is possible that more post-holes re-main, un-excavated, beyond the limit of the excavation that were not discovered due to the limitations of the excavation. It is also possible that they were associated with an area of activity around the nearby hearth (C.66).


20

Plate6: Mid-excavationviewofpost-hole(C�35)fromsouth�

Plate7: Post-excavationviewofpost-hole(C�33)fromsouth�

Gortnahown 3-E2477

21


LithicsThe lithics were examined by Farina Sternke (Appendix 5) and they included a piece of flint debitage (E2477:4:1) and a core (E2477:48:2). They were typologically un-diagnostic and technological indicators may suggest a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age date.

Pottery The pottery was examined by Eoin Grogan and Helen Roche (Appendix 6). These were identified as Domestic Cordoned Urn, a type of pottery found in association with Middle Bronze Age settlements and dated to c. 1500 – 1200 BC. An assemblage of 90 sherds rep-resenting four flat-based barrel-shaped urns (Vessels 1–4) were recovered from pits C.23 and C.50 and tree bowl C.42 (Figure 7). Features, such as the presence of cordons and deep cord impressed ornament indicate an influence from the broad funerary cordoned urn tradition. Similar typological features were found at Caherdrinny 3 E2422 and at Mitchelstown 07E1071 on the route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road.

Plant remainsThe plant remains were examined by Penny Johnston (Appendix 7). Where plant mate-rial was found, it was only retrieved in small quantities. The identified material included hazelnut shell fragments, barley grains and a small amount of weed seeds from pits C.58 and C.63 and post-hole C.35. The only cereal type found was barley, which is common in Irish Bronze Age deposits.

CharcoalThe charcoal was examined by Mary Dillon in advance of radiocarbon dating.

Figure7: SherdsofDomesticCordonedUrn:E2477:39:1,3and8Vessel3andE2477:48:1Vessel4�

39:1 Vessel 339:8 Vessel 3

48:1 Vessel 4

39:3 Vessel 3


22

Radiocarbon datesRadiocarbon analysis was carried out by the 14 Chrono Centre in Queen’s University Belfast. Dates were calibrated using Calib Rev5.0.2 (©1986-2005 M.Stuiver & P.J. Re-imer) and in conjunction with Stuiver & Reimer 1993 and Reimer et al. 2004.

Lab code

Con-text

Material Un-calibrated date

δ 13 C Calibrated 2-sigma date

Calibrated 1-sigma date

Period

UB-12981

C.44 Hazel/alder charcoal from hearth C.66

2720+/-24 -24.2 BC 910-815 BC 896-865 859-833

Late Bronze Age

UB-12982

C.64 Hazel/alder charcoal from hearth C.75

1921+/-20 -27.7 AD 28-39 50-128

AD 60-88 103-122

Iron Age

Table4Radiocarbondates

8 DiscussionDomestic activity from the Early Neolithic Period through to the Iron Age was recorded, over a length of 850 m, along the eastern bank of the Gradoge River in five separate cut-tings at Gortnahown 1 E2426, Gortnahown 2 E2423 and Gortnahown 3 E2477 (Figure 8). With the exception of the Bronze Age structure in Gortnahown 1, no definite struc-tures were recorded. But a range of hearths, pits, post-holes and stake-holes and lithic stone tools, pottery and radiocarbon dates testify to the prolonged use of the river side location through out prehistory.

Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age The group of pits and stake-holes associated with the hearth C.87 maybe dated to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period by the lithic assemblage. The hearth-side activity is comparable to hearth and pit-side activity recorded at Gortnahown 2 E2423 (Area 1 and 2) located 120 m to the north-west. At least four hearths were the focus of activity in the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period (in Areas 1 and 2) at Gortnahown 2. Evidence for flint knapping was recorded at one of the larger hearth sites. The lithic assemblage was dominated by a Late Neolithic/ Early Bronze Age typological and technological com-ponent. Two radiocarbon dates of cal BC 2860-2505 (UB-13219) and cal BC 2016-1831 (UB-13217) were returned from these organised work spaces.

Bronze AgeThe pottery recovered from the southern part of the site does however suggest that the archaeological remains at Gortnahown 3 included the remains of a Middle Bronze Age occupation site. The pottery from the site, identified as Domestic Cordoned Urn, com-bined with a small quantity of charred plant remains and burnt animal bone, indicated that this site represented a domestic settlement. The nature of this settlement is, however, uncertain. Although three hearths were found during the excavation, these all appear to

Gradoge (River)

130

120

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

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180675

180675

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80

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Gortnahown 1Area 2

Gortnahown 1Area 1

Gortnahown 2Area 1 & 2

Gortnahown 2Area 3

Gortnahown 2Area 4

Gortnahown 2Area 5

Gortnahown 3

Gortnahown 3-E2477

23


Figure8: TopographicalmapshowingthelocationofGortnahown1E2423,Gortnahown2E2426andGortnahown3E2477�


24

have been outdoor hearths. There is no evidence that a structure ever existed at this site, although irregular pits were interpreted as tree throws and these may have disturbed the archaeological features at the site.

There are several known Middle Bronze Age settlement sites and Doody (2007, 91) catalogues 30 sites where structural details are available for sites of this date. The results from the route of the N8 in North Cork (including the Rathcormac to Fermoy road, the Fermoy to Mitchelstown road, the Mitchelstown Relief Road and the Mitchelstown to Cashel road) indicate quite widespread distribution of Bronze Age settlement in this part of north Cork. The most obvious of these were the circular Bronze Age houses: examples were excavated at Mitchelstown, Ballynamona 2 and Kilshanny 1 (Tierney and John-ston 2009, 104). The site at Gortnahown 3 represents much more ephemeral settlement evidence. However, the recovery of the remains of four pottery vessels is unusual, since paucity of finds is a characteristic of Middle to Late Bronze Age domestic sites (Grogan et al 2007, 129).

Iron AgeAn Iron Age date was returned from an isolated hearth in the centre of the site. One other Iron Age date of cal BC 88 – cal AD 54 (UB-13174) was returned from a pit at Gortna-hown 1 E2423 (Area 1).

All the evidence from Gortnahown 3 and indeed Gortnahown 1 and Gortnahown 2 suggests that occupation of this area on the eastern bank of the Gradoge River extended over at least an area of 750 m north-south and was prolonged through time.

Gortnahown 3-E2477

25


9 ReferencesBarry, T. (1987) The Archaeology of Medieval Ireland. London, Methuen & Co. Ltd.

Bence-Jones, M. (1996) A Guide to Irish County Houses. London, Constable & Co. Ltd.

Cleary, R.M. and Hurley, M.F. (eds) (2003) Excavations in Cork city 1984-2000. Cork City Council.

Clinton, M. (2001) The Souterrains of Ireland. Bray, Wordwell.

Cotter, E., Buckley, K. & Drumm, M. (2006) N8 Fermoy Mitchelstown Phase 1 – final archaeological testing report, unpublished report for licence no. 05E1150.

Cotter, E. (2005) ‘Bronze Age Ballybrowney, Co. Cork’, Recent Archaeological Discoveries on National Road Schemes 2004. National Roads Authority Monograph Series No.2.

Daly, A. and Grogan, E (1992) ‘Excavation of Four Barrows in Mitchelstowndown West, Knocklong, Co. Limerick’, Discovery Programme Reports 1. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy.

Doody, M. (1995) ‘Ballyhoura Hills project’, Discovery Programme Reports 2, 12-44. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy.

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

Doody, M. (2007) Excavations at Curaghatoor, Co. Tipperary. Cork, UCC Department of Archaeology Archaeological Monograph.

Gardiner, M.J. and Radford,T. (1980) Soil Assocaitions of Ireland and Their Land Use Potential. Dublin, An Foras Talúntais.

Gowen, M. (1988) Three Irish Gas pipelines: new archaeological evidence in Munster. Dublin, Wordwell.

Grogan, E., O’Donnell, L. and Johnston, P. (2007) The Bronze Age Landscapes of the Pipeline to the West. Bray, Wordwell.

Lewis, S. (1988) Lewis’ Cork: A Topographical Dictionary of the Parishes, Towns and Villages of Cork City and County. Cork, Collins Press.


26

Lynn, C.J. (1986) Houses and other related outbuildings in Early Christian Ireland. Unpublished PhD thesis, University College Dublin.

Lynn, C.J. (1978) Early Christian period domestic structures: a change from round to rectangular. Irish Archaeological Research Forum. 5, 29-45.

Lynn, C.J. (1994) Houses in Rural Ireland, A.D.500-1000. Ulster Journal of Archaeology 57, 81-94.

Monk, M. (1995) A Tale of Two Ringforts Lisleagh I and II Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society Vol.100, 105-116.

Murphy, T. F. (1961) A ringfort at Oldcourt, Co. Cork in Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society Vol. 66, 79-92.

O’Conor, K. (1998) The archaeology of medieval rural settlement in Ireland. Discovery Programme Monographs No 3, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

O’Donoghue. J. (2010) Archaeological excavations at Gortnahown 2 E2423. Unpublished report Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

O’Sullivan, A. and Harney, L. (2008) Early Medieval Archaeology Project, Investing the character of early medieval archaeological excavations 1970-2002. Report for the Heritage Council.

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

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

Power, B. (2002) Images of Mitchelstown, Stories and pictures from my own place. Mount Cashell Books.

Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J.W., Bertrand, C., Blackwell, P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks, R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac, F.G., Manning, S., Bronk Ramsey, C., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R., Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., van der Plicht, J. and Weyhenmeyer, C.E. (2004) ‘IntCal04 Terrestrial Radiocarbon Age Calibration, 0–26 Cal Kyr BP’, Radiocarbon 46, 1029-1058.

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Stuiver, M., and Reimer, P.J. (1993) ‘Extended (super 14) C data base and revised CALIB 3.0 (super 14) C age calibration program’, Radiocarbon 35, 215-230.

Sherlock, R. (2003) ‘Killydonoghoe’ Bennett, I. (Ed) Excavations 2001. Bray, Wordwell.

Sleeman, A.G., & McConnell, B. (1995) Geology of East Cork-Waterford. Dublin, Geological Survey of Ireland.

Stephens, P. (2007) Confad 3 a unique glimpse into early monastic life in County Westmeath Seanda Issue 2, 42-43. National Roads Authority.

Stout, M. (1997) The Irish Ringfort. Dublin, Four Courts Press.

Tierney, J. and Johnston, P. (2009) ‘No corners! Prehistoric roundhouses on the N8 and N7 in counties Cork’, pp.99 – 108 in Stanley, M., Danaher, E. and Eogan, J. (eds) Dining and Dwelling. Archaeology and the National Roads Authority Monograph Series No. 6.

Woodman, P. McCarthy, M. and Monaghan, N.T. (1997) ‘The Irish Quaternary Fauna Project’, Quaternary Science Reviews 16 (2), 129-159.

Woodman, P.C. (1989) ‘The Mesolithic in Munster: a preliminary assessment’, pp. 116 – 124 in Bonsall, C. (Ed) The Mesolithic in Europe. Edinburgh, John Donald.

Woodman, P.C. (2000) ‘Hammers and Shoeboxes: New Agendas for Prehistory’., pp. 1 -10 in Desmond, A., Johnson, G., McCarthy, M., Sheehan, J. and Shee Twohig, E. New Agendas in Irish Prehistory. Papers in commemoration of Liz Anderson. Bray, Wordwell.


28

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atur

al su

bsoi

l. 0.

40 x

0.3

0 x

?

11Sp

read

187

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k br

owni

sh b

lack

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of

med

ium

sub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s and

med

ium

cha

rcoa

l pi

eces

. Mod

erat

e inc

lusio

ns o

f sm

all c

harc

oal p

iece

s. Fr

eque

nt in

clusio

ns

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

.

0.99

x 0

.50

x 0.

05

12St

akeh

ole

1212

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k br

owni

sh b

lack

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of f

ine

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les a

nd c

harc

oal f

lecks

. Circ

ular

in p

lan.

Sha

rp b

reak

of

slop

e at t

op a

nd b

ase.

Side

s slo

pe v

ertic

ally

and

are

smoo

th. B

ase i

s ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n; c

onca

ve in

pro

file.

0.08

x 0

.08

x 0.

10


29

Con

text

#C

onte

xt T

ype

Fill

ofFi

lled

wit

h St

rat a

bove

Stra

t bel

owSh

ort D

escr

ipti

onD

imes

nion

s13

Stak

ehol

e13

131

2So

ftly

com

pact

ed d

ark

brow

nish

bla

ck si

lt. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f fin

e su

b-ro

unde

d an

d su

b-an

gula

r peb

bles

and

cha

rcoa

l flec

ks. S

ub-c

ircul

ar

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Shar

p br

eak

of sl

ope a

t top

and

bas

e.

Side

s slo

pe v

ertic

ally

and

are

smoo

th. B

ase i

s sub

-circ

ular

in p

lan

and

flat i

n pr

ofile

.

0.09

x 0

.08

x 0.

10

14St

akeh

ole

1414

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k br

owni

sh b

lack

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of f

ine

sub-

roun

ded

and

sub-

angu

lar p

ebbl

es a

nd c

harc

oal f

lecks

. Circ

ular

in

plan

. Sha

rp b

reak

of s

lope

at to

p an

d ba

se. S

ides

slop

e ver

tical

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

ase i

s circ

ular

in p

lan

and

flat i

n pr

ofile

.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

07

15St

akeh

ole

1515

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k br

own

silty

cla

y. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f fin

e su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s and

smal

l sub

-roun

ded

stone

s. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n.

Shar

p br

eak

of sl

ope a

t top

and

bas

e. Si

des s

lope

ver

tical

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

ase i

s circ

ular

in p

lan

and

poin

ted

in p

rofil

e.

0.10

x 0

.09

x 0.

10

16St

akeh

ole

1616

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k br

owni

sh b

lack

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of

char

coal

flec

ks. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top

and

base

. Si

des s

lope

ver

tical

ly a

nd a

re sm

ooth

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d fla

t in

prof

ile.

0.10

x 0

.09

x 0.

18

17St

akeh

ole

1717

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k br

own

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal

fleck

s. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. B

reak

of s

lope

at to

p is

grad

ual o

n N

; and

sh

arp

else

whe

re. S

ides

are

smoo

th, s

lopi

ng g

ently

on

N, a

nd v

ertic

ally

el

sew

here

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is s

harp

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d po

inte

d in

pro

file.

Cut

incl

ines

S.

0.08

x 0

.07

x 0.

07

20Fi

ll of

pos

-sib

le cle

aran

ce

feat

ure

60

5060

Loos

ely c

ompa

cted

bro

wni

sh o

rang

e san

d. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of f

ine,

m

ediu

m a

nd c

oars

e ang

ular

and

sub-

angu

lar p

ebbl

es; a

nd sm

all,

me-

dium

and

larg

e ang

ular

and

sub-

angu

lar s

tone

s.

3.0

x 1.

12 x

0.2

5

23Pi

t Cut

5

52

Circ

ular

in p

lan.

Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top

is sh

arp

on N

and

gra

dual

else

-w

here

. Sid

es a

re c

onca

ve, s

lopi

ng m

oder

ately

on

N; a

nd sm

ooth

, slo

ping

ge

ntly

else

whe

re. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

on

N, a

nd im

perc

epti-

ble e

lsew

here

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d co

ncav

e in

prof

ile.

0.50

x 0

.50

x 0.

08

24Po

stho

le Fi

ll (p

oss)

25

125

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

mid

bro

wn

clay

ey si

lt. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f fin

e an

d m

ediu

m su

b-an

gula

r and

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les a

nd sm

all a

ngul

ar

stone

s.

0.22

x 0

.20

x 0.

13


30

Con

text

#C

onte

xt T

ype

Fill

ofFi

lled

wit

h St

rat a

bove

Stra

t bel

owSh

ort D

escr

ipti

onD

imes

nion

s25

Post

hole

Cut

(p

oss)

24

242

Circ

ular

in p

lan.

Sha

rp b

reak

of s

lope

at to

p an

d ba

se. S

ides

slop

e ste

eply

an

d ar

e con

cave

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d po

inte

d in

pro

file.

0.22

x 0

.20

x 0.

13

26Po

stho

le fil

l.33

1

33So

ftly

com

pact

ed m

id b

row

n sil

ty c

lay.

Mod

erat

e inc

lusio

ns o

f med

ium

an

d co

arse

sub-

angu

lar p

ebbl

es; m

ediu

m su

b-an

gula

r sto

nes a

nd c

har-

coal

flec

ks a

nd sm

all p

iece

s.

0.36

x 0

.33

x 0.

43

33Po

stho

le C

ut

2626

2C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.36

x 0

.33

x 0.

43

34Po

stho

le Fi

ll35

1

35So

ftly

com

pact

ed b

row

n sil

ty c

lay.

Mod

erat

e inc

lusio

ns o

f med

ium

and

co

arse

sub-

angu

lar p

ebbl

es; s

mal

l and

med

ium

sub-

angu

lar s

tone

s and

ch

arco

al fl

ecks

and

smal

l pie

ces.

0.35

x 0

.32

x 0.

46

35Po

stho

le C

ut

3434

2C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. B

reak

of s

lope

at to

p is

grad

ual o

n E

and

SE; s

harp

el

sew

here

. Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is

grad

ual.

Base

is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.35

x 0

.32

x 0.

46

38Po

ssib

le St

one

Surf

ace

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

mid

bro

wn

silty

sand

. Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of c

oars

e an

gula

r and

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les.

Mod

erat

e inc

lusio

ns o

f sm

all a

nd m

e-di

um a

ngul

ar, s

ub-a

ngul

ar, s

ub-ro

unde

d an

d ro

unde

d sto

nes.

Mod

erat

e in

clusio

ns o

f lar

ge (0

.2-0

.3m

) ang

ular

and

sub-

roun

ded

stone

s.

2.78

x 1

.34

x ?

39Tr

ee B

owl F

ill42

7

40C

ompa

ct li

ght b

row

nish

yel

low

silty

sand

. Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of f

ine,

m

ediu

m a

nd c

oars

e sub

-ang

ular

and

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les;

smal

l sub

-an

gula

r and

sub-

roun

ded

stone

s and

smal

l cha

rcoa

l pie

ces.

Mod

erat

e in

clusio

ns o

f cha

rcoa

l flec

ks.

1.70

x 1

.35

x 0.

40

40Tr

ee B

owl F

ill42

39

41So

ftly

com

pact

ed d

ark

grey

ish b

row

n sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f co

arse

sub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s; sm

all s

ub-a

ngul

ar a

nd

sub-

roun

ded

stone

s; an

d ch

arco

al fl

ecks

and

smal

l pie

ces.

0.90

x 0

.60

x 0.

08

41Tr

ee B

owl F

ill42

40

42Fi

rmly

com

pact

ed m

id y

ello

wish

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lu-

sions

of f

ine a

nd m

ediu

m su

b-an

gula

r and

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les a

nd

char

coal

flec

ks.

1.60

x 1

.20

x 0.

32


31

Con

text

#C

onte

xt T

ype

Fill

ofFi

lled

wit

h St

rat a

bove

Stra

t bel

owSh

ort D

escr

ipti

onD

imes

nion

s42

Tree

Bow

l Cut

7,

39, 4

0,

4141

2Ir

regu

lar i

n pl

an w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope a

t top

is im

per-

cept

ible

on S

W a

nd N

W; g

radu

al o

n S,

E a

nd W

; and

shar

p el

sew

here

. Si

des a

re sm

ooth

, slo

ping

ver

tical

ly o

n N

; and

con

vex,

slop

ing

mod

erat

e-ly

else

whe

re. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s sha

rp o

n N

and

NE;

and

gra

dual

el

sew

here

. Bas

e is i

rreg

ular

in p

lan

and

irreg

ular

in p

rofil

e.

3.60

x 1

.30

x 0.

60

44H

eart

h Fi

ll66

1

66So

ftly

com

pact

ed d

ark

blac

k sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f coa

rse s

ub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s. M

oder

ate i

nclu

sions

of s

mal

l cha

rcoa

l pi

eces

and

bur

nt b

one p

iece

s. Fr

eque

nt in

clusio

ns o

f cha

rcoa

l flec

ks.

0.42

x 0

.42

x 0.

05

45Pi

t Fill

58

158

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

mid

redd

ish, g

reyi

sh b

lack

silty

cla

y. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lu-

sions

of c

oars

e sub

-ang

ular

peb

bles

and

smal

l and

med

ium

sub-

angu

lar

stone

s. M

oder

ate i

nclu

sions

of m

ediu

m su

b-an

gula

r peb

bles

. Fre

quen

t in

clusio

ns o

f cha

rcoa

l flec

ks a

nd sm

all p

iece

s.

0.46

x 0

.26

x 0.

16

46Pi

t Fill

49

149

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

ligh

t bro

wni

sh b

lack

cla

yey

silt.

Mod

erat

e inc

lusio

ns

of fi

ne a

ngul

ar, s

ub-a

ngul

ar, s

ub-ro

unde

d an

d ro

unde

d pe

bble

s. O

c-ca

siona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f med

ium

ang

ular

, sub

-ang

ular

, sub

-roun

ded

and

roun

ded;

and

coa

rse a

ngul

ar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s and

cha

rcoa

l fle

cks.

0.51

x 0

.48

x 0.

08

47Pi

t Fill

63

163

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

mid

bro

wni

sh b

lack

cla

yey

silt.

Mod

erat

e inc

lusio

ns o

f fin

e ang

ular

, sub

-ang

ular

, sub

-roun

ded

and

roun

ded

pebb

les;

and

smal

l an

d m

ediu

m a

ngul

ar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d sto

nes.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of

med

ium

and

coa

rse p

ebbl

es a

nd sm

all c

harc

oal p

iece

s.

0.52

x 0

.45

x 0.

09

48Pi

t Fill

50

150

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck c

laye

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f med

ium

an

gula

r and

sub-

angu

lar;

and

coar

se a

ngul

ar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

b-bl

es. M

oder

ate i

nclu

sions

of f

ine s

ub-a

ngul

ar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s. Fr

eque

nt in

clusio

ns o

f cha

rcoa

l flec

ks.

0.35

x 0

.29

x 0.

07

49Pi

t Cut

46

462

Sub-

circ

ular

in p

lan.

Cor

ners

are

squa

re o

n S;

roun

ded

else

whe

re. B

reak

of

slop

e at t

op is

shar

p on

SW

and

NW

; gra

dual

else

whe

re. S

ides

are

co

ncav

e, slo

ping

mod

erat

ely o

n W

; and

gen

tly el

sew

here

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is s

ub-c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d co

ncav

e in

prof

ile.

0.51

x 0

.48

x 0.

08

50Pi

t Cut

48

4820

Squa

re in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Sh

arp

brea

k of

slop

e at t

op. S

ides

ar

e sm

ooth

, slo

ping

gen

tly o

n SW

; and

con

cave

, slo

ping

mod

erat

ely el

se-

whe

re. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s sha

rp o

n N

E; im

perc

eptib

le el

sew

here

. Ba

se is

squa

re in

pla

n an

d fla

t in

prof

ile.

0.35

x 0

.29

x 0.

07


32

Con

text

#C

onte

xt T

ype

Fill

ofFi

lled

wit

h St

rat a

bove

Stra

t bel

owSh

ort D

escr

ipti

onD

imes

nion

s51

Stak

ehol

e51

511

2So

ftly

com

pact

ed b

lack

silt.

Fre

quen

t inc

lusio

ns o

f cha

rcoa

l flec

ks. S

ub-

circ

ular

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Shar

p br

eak

of sl

ope a

t top

. Sid

es

slope

stee

ply

and

are s

moo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is

circ

ular

in p

lan

and

has a

tape

red

roun

ded

poin

t in

prof

ile.

0.13

x 0

.11 x

0.1

0

52St

akeh

ole

5252

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

10

53St

akeh

ole

5353

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.04

x 0

.04

x 0.

06

54St

akeh

ole

5454

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. Sub

-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Sh

arp

brea

k of

slop

e at t

op. S

ides

slo

pe st

eepl

y an

d ar

e sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is g

radu

al. B

ase i

s ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.06

x 0

.04

x 0.

06

55St

akeh

ole

5555

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. Sub

-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Sh

arp

brea

k of

slop

e at t

op. S

ides

slo

pe st

eepl

y an

d ar

e sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is g

radu

al. B

ase i

s ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.05

x 0

.04

x 0.

06

56St

akeh

ole

5656

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.07

x 0

.07

x 0.

07

57St

akeh

ole

5757

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. M

oder

ate i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. Sub

-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Sh

arp

brea

k of

slop

e at t

op. S

ides

slo

pe st

eepl

y an

d ar

e sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is g

radu

al. B

ase i

s ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.12

x 0

.10

x 0.

06

58Pi

t Cut

45

452

Sub-

rect

angu

lar i

n pl

an w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Sh

arp

brea

k of

slop

e at

top.

Sid

es a

re c

onca

ve, s

lopi

ng m

oder

ately

on

S an

d W

; and

stee

ply

else

whe

re. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

on

S, W

, SW

and

NW

; and

sh

arp

else

whe

re. B

ase i

s sub

-rect

angu

lar i

n pl

an a

nd c

onca

ve in

pro

file.

0.46

x 0

.26

x 0.

16


33

Con

text

#C

onte

xt T

ype

Fill

ofFi

lled

wit

h St

rat a

bove

Stra

t bel

owSh

ort D

escr

ipti

onD

imes

nion

s59

Stak

ehol

e59

591

2So

ftly

com

pact

ed m

id b

row

n sa

ndy

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of f

ine

sub-

angu

lar p

ebbl

es. O

val i

n pl

an w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Sh

arp

brea

k of

slop

e at t

op. S

ides

slop

e ste

eply

and

are

con

vex.

Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is

grad

ual.

Base

is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.09

x 0

.08

x 0.

12

60C

ut o

f pos

-sib

le cle

aran

ce

feat

ure

20

, 48

202

Irre

gula

r in

plan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Gra

dual

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Si

des a

re ir

regu

lar,

slopi

ng m

oder

ately

on

N; s

moo

th, s

lopi

ng m

oder

-at

ely o

n S;

and

smoo

th, s

lopi

ng st

eepl

y el

sew

here

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is

grad

ual o

n N

; sha

rp o

n N

W a

nd im

perc

eptib

le el

sew

here

. Bas

e is

irreg

ular

in p

lan

and

flat i

n pr

ofile

. Tru

ncat

ed b

y C

50 in

S.

3 x

1.12

x 0

.25

61St

akeh

ole

6161

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

06

62St

akeh

ole

6262

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.08

x 0

.08

x 0.

13

63Pi

t Cut

47

472

Circ

ular

in p

lan.

Gra

dual

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top

and

base

. Sid

es sl

ope

gent

ly a

nd a

re c

onca

ve. B

ase i

s circ

ular

in p

lan

and

conc

ave i

n pr

ofile

. 0.

52 x

0.4

5 x

0.09

64H

eart

h Fi

ll75

1

75So

ftly

com

pact

ed d

ark

brow

nish

bla

ck c

laye

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns

of m

ediu

m su

b-an

gula

r and

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les.

Freq

uent

inclu

sions

of

cha

rcoa

l flec

ks a

nd sm

all p

iece

s.

0.36

x 0

.28

x 0.

08

66H

eart

h C

ut

4444

2C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. Im

perc

eptib

le br

eak

of sl

ope a

t top

and

bas

e. Si

des

slope

gen

tly a

nd a

re ir

regu

lar.

Base

is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d fla

t in

prof

ile.

0.42

x 0

.42

x 0.

05

67St

akeh

ole

6767

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. M

oder

ate i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. Sub

-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Sh

arp

brea

k of

slop

e at t

op. S

ides

slo

pe st

eepl

y an

d ar

e sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is g

radu

al. B

ase i

s ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.07

x 0

.06

x 0.

11

68St

akeh

ole

6868

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k bl

ack

silt.

Freq

uent

inclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.04

x 0

.04

x 0.

06


34

Con

text

#C

onte

xt T

ype

Fill

ofFi

lled

wit

h St

rat a

bove

Stra

t bel

owSh

ort D

escr

ipti

onD

imes

nion

s69

Stak

ehol

e69

691

2So

ftly

com

pact

ed b

lack

silt.

Fre

quen

t inc

lusio

ns o

f cha

rcoa

l flec

ks.

Circ

ular

in p

lan.

Sha

rp b

reak

of s

lope

at to

p. S

ides

slop

e ste

eply

and

are

sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is g

radu

al. B

ase i

s circ

ular

in p

lan

and

has

a tap

ered

roun

ded

poin

t in

prof

ile.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

07

70St

akeh

ole

7070

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

07

71St

akeh

ole

7171

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

05

72St

akeh

ole

7272

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. F

requ

ent i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

06

73St

akeh

ole

7373

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. M

oder

ate i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.06

x 0

.06

x 0.

07

74St

akeh

ole

7474

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. M

oder

ate i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. Sub

-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Sh

arp

brea

k of

slop

e at t

op. S

ides

slo

pe st

eepl

y an

d ar

e sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is g

radu

al. B

ase i

s ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.08

x 0

.05

x 0.

06

75H

eart

h C

ut

6464

2Su

b-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope a

t top

is

impe

rcep

tible

on E

and

NE;

gra

dual

on

S an

d SE

; and

shar

p el

sew

here

. Si

des a

re sm

ooth

, slo

ping

gen

tly o

n E;

smoo

th, s

lopi

ng st

eepl

y on

W;

conc

ave,

slopi

ng st

eepl

y on

N; a

nd sm

ooth

, slo

ping

mod

erat

ely o

n S.

Br

eak

of sl

ope a

t bas

e is i

mpe

rcep

tible

on E

, NE

and

SE; a

nd g

radu

al

else

whe

re. B

ase i

s sub

-circ

ular

in p

lan

and

flat i

n pr

ofile

.

0.36

x 0

.28

x 0.

08

76St

akeh

ole

7676

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k bl

ack

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of f

ine s

ub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s and

cha

rcoa

l flec

ks. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n.

Shar

p br

eak

of sl

ope a

t top

and

bas

e. Si

des a

re sm

ooth

, slo

ping

gen

tly

on W

; ver

tical

ly el

sew

here

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

. Sta

keho

le is

incl

ined

E.

0.05

x 0

.04

x 0.

06


35

Con

text

#C

onte

xt T

ype

Fill

ofFi

lled

wit

h St

rat a

bove

Stra

t bel

owSh

ort D

escr

ipti

onD

imes

nion

s77

Stak

ehol

e77

771

2Ve

ry so

ftly

com

pact

ed m

id b

row

n sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f cha

rcoa

l fle

cks.

Circ

ular

in p

lan.

Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top

is sh

arp

on S

; gra

dual

else

-w

here

. Sid

es a

re sm

ooth

, slo

ping

stee

ply

on S

; and

mod

erat

ely el

sew

here

. Br

eak

of sl

ope a

t bas

e is g

radu

al. B

ase i

s ova

l in

plan

and

has

a ta

pere

d bl

unt p

oint

in p

rofil

e.

0.07

x 0

.07

x 0.

06

78St

akeh

ole

7878

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

mid

bro

wn

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal

fleck

s. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. B

reak

of s

lope

at to

p is

grad

ual o

n N

; sha

rp

else

whe

re. S

ides

are

smoo

th, s

lopi

ng m

oder

ately

on

N; a

nd v

ertic

ally

el

sew

here

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is g

radu

al. B

ase i

s circ

ular

in p

lan

and

has a

tape

red

blun

t poi

nt in

pro

file.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

06

79St

akeh

ole

7979

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

mid

bro

wn

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal

fleck

s. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. B

reak

of s

lope

at to

p is

grad

ual o

n E;

shar

p el

sew

here

. Sid

es a

re sm

ooth

, slo

ping

mod

erat

ely o

n E;

and

ver

tical

ly

else

whe

re. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

. Sta

keho

le is

incl

ined

from

W.

0.09

x 0

.06

x 0.

08

80St

akeh

ole

8080

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

mid

bro

wn

silt.

Occ

asio

nal i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal

fleck

s. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly

and

are s

moo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d co

ncav

e in

prof

ile.

0.06

x 0

.05

x 0.

09

81Pi

t Cut

8

82

Sub-

circ

ular

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Shar

p br

eak

of sl

ope a

t top

. Si

des a

re c

onca

ve, s

lopi

ng st

eepl

y on

N; a

nd m

oder

ately

else

whe

re.

Brea

k of

slop

e at b

ase i

s im

perc

eptib

le on

S a

nd W

; gra

dual

else

whe

re.

Base

is su

b-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n an

d fla

t in

prof

ile.

1.12

x 0

.95

x 0.

17

82St

akeh

ole

8282

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

bla

ck si

lt. M

oder

ate i

nclu

sions

of c

harc

oal f

lecks

. C

ircul

ar in

pla

n. S

harp

bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

top.

Sid

es sl

ope s

teep

ly a

nd a

re

smoo

th. B

reak

of s

lope

at b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a t

aper

ed ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.05

x 0

.05

x 0.

06

83St

akeh

ole

8383

12

Softl

y co

mpa

cted

dar

k br

own

sand

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f ch

arco

al fl

ecks

. Ova

l in

plan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Shar

p br

eak

of sl

ope

at to

p. S

ides

slop

e ver

tical

ly a

nd a

re sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe at

bas

e is

grad

ual.

Base

is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n an

d ha

s a ta

pere

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.08

x 0

.07

x 0.

17

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Gortnahown 3-E2477

37


Appendix 2 Site matrix


38

Gortnahown 3-E2477

39


Appendix 3 Groups and subgroups

Group 1

Sub-group 1A - PitsFigures: 1-2, 4-6, 13, 15-16 and 19-20.Plates: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 31, 33, 36, 38, 47, 50 and 53.Contexts: C.23 (C.5), C.42 (C.7, C.39, C.40 and C.41), C.49 (C.46), C.50 (C.48), C.58 (C.45), C.60 (C.20), C.63 (C.47), C.81 (C.8) and C.88 (C.4).

Description:

Sub-group 1A consists of nine pits (C.23, C.42, C.49, C.50, C.58, C.60, C.63, C.81 and C.88). There were three pits in the south-west corner of the site (C.42, C.49 and C.63). C.42 was an irregular shaped pit with an irregular base and dimensions of 3.60m in length, 1.30m in width and 0.60m in depth. The top fill (C.7) was greyish brown sandy silt with stone and charcoal inclusions, fifty six sherds of pottery were recovered from this fill as well as nineteen wedge shaped stones. The next fill down (C.39) was made up of brownish yellow silty sand with pebble and charcoal inclusions; it produced twenty six sherds of pottery, including one decorated piece. Fill C.40 was dark greyish brown silt with inclusions of charcoal flecks and small pieces and the basal fill (C.41) which was 0.32m deep was com-posed of sandy silt.

Located just south of C.42, C.49 and C.63 were very similar sub-circular and circular shaped pits. C.49 was 0.51m long, 0.48m wide and 0.08m deep and C.63 was 0.52m long, 0.45m wide and 0.09m deep. They both contained a single fill of brownish black clayey silt with inclusions of pebbles and charcoal.

To the north of the above mentioned pits was a group of features that included three pits (C.23, C.50 and C.60). C.60 was a large irregular shaped pit with dimensions of 3m in length, 1.12m in width and 0.25m in depth. It contained a single fill (C.20) of brownish orange sand. Truncating C.60 was a smaller pit (C.50) which was square in plan with a flat base and dimensions of 0.35m in length, 0.29m in width and 0.07m in depth. It con-tained a single fill (C.48) of soft black clayey silt which produced a piece of flint debitage and a sherd of decorated pottery. C.23 was located to the west of this group of features. It was a circular pit with a concave base and a single fill (C.5) of mid grey sandy silt with inclusions of pebbles, stones and charcoal; three sherds of pottery were also recovered from this fill.

C.81 and C.88 were located in the south-east corner of the site. C.81 was sub-circular with a flat base and dimensions of 1.12m in length, 0.95m in width and 0.17m in depth; it contained a single fill (C.8) of dark greyish brown sandy silt with inclusions of pebbles, stones and charcoal. C.88, to the west of C.81 was sub-circular with a concave base and dimensions of 1.75m in length, 1.10m in width and 0.17m in depth. This pit contained a


40

single fill (C.4) of mid brown silty clay with inclusions of pebbles, stones and charcoal; a piece of flint debitage was also produced from this fill.

A small pit (C.58) was excavated in the north-east corner of the site. This was sub-rectangular with a concave base and dimensions of 0.46m in length, 0.26m in width and 0.16m in depth. It contained a single fill (C.45) of mid reddish, greyish black silty clay with inclusions of pebbles, stones and charcoal.

Interpretation:

C.42 would appear to have been created by the removal of a tree. Its irregular shape and size would support this theory. The fills indicate that it was backfilled quite soon after the tree was removed. The two lower fills would have been the immediate backfill containing organic material from the tree and its roots and the top two fills that contained pottery and stones suggest deliberate backfill by human activity. Analysis of the pottery should help to date this feature.

The function of the two pits (C.49 and C.63) to the south of C.42 is unclear. They are a regular shape so would appear to have been created by human activity; it is possible that they were used as storage pits.

There were three pits to the north of C.42 (C.23, C.50 and C.60). C.60 was a large irregular pit suggesting that it too was created during the process of land clearance. C.50 was truncating C.60, the charcoal, flint and pottery (Early Bronze Age?) in its fill indicate that it was deliberately backfilled by human activity. It was probably dug to use for the deposition of waste material from the nearby hearth (C.87).

C.23 was located just south-west of the hearth to which it is very likely associated, a large amount of charcoal and a piece of pottery in the fill suggests that it was used for the deposition of material from the hearth.

C.58 in the north-east corner of the site would appear to be related to the nearby hearth (C.66) and was likely to have been dug for the deposition of material from the hearth; charcoal in the fill supports this theory.

The two pits located in the south-east of the site (C.81 and C.88) did not reveal an obvious function, however, flint recovered from the fill of C.88 suggests a prehistoric date and charcoal in their fills is indicative of human activity.

Further examination of the pottery finds from these features, as well as analysis of charcoal and soil samples, should help to date and thus enhance our understanding of this site.

Sub-group 1B - PostholesFigures: 2 and 14.Plates: 12-14, 16 and 18.Contexts: C.25 (C.24), C.33 (C.26) and C.35 (C.34).

Description:

There are three postholes in sub-group 1B (C.25, C.33 and C.35).

Gortnahown 3-E2477

41


C.25 was located just north of a group of features set around a hearth (C.11). It was a circular posthole with a concave base and dimensions of 0.22m in length, 0.20m in width and 0.13m in depth. It contained a single fill (C.24) of mid brown clayey silt with inclu-sions of pebbles and stones.

C.33 and C.35 were located in the far north-east of the site. C.33 had dimensions of 0.36m in length, 0.33m in width and 0.43m in depth and C.35 had dimensions of 0.35m in length, 0.32m in width and 0.46m in depth. They were both circular in plan with bases that tapered to a rounded point. They were filled with brown silty clay with pebble, stone and charcoal inclusions.

Interpretation:

The two postholes in the north-east corner of the site were very similar and so were most likely in use at the same time, they would have been dug to hold posts. However, it is not clear what their function would have been. As they were located very close to the site boundary it is possible that there were more postholes that were not discovered due to the limitations of the excavation. It is also possible that they were associated with an area of activity around the nearby hearth (C.66).

C.25 was a posthole also dug to facilitate the insertion of a post. It was located just north of a series of activity around a hearth (C.87) to which it is most likely related.

Sub-group 1C - Stake-holesFigures: 2, 16, 17, 19 and 20.Plates: 9, 11, 17, 21, 24, 27, 29, 32, 34, 37, 40-43, 45, 49, 51 and 52. Contexts: C.12, C.13, C.14, C.15, C.16, C.17, C.51, C.52, C.53, C.54, C.55, C.56, C.57, C.59, C.61, C.62, C.67, C.68, C.69, C.70, C.71, C.72, C.73, C.74, C.76, C.77, C.78, C.79, C.80, C.82, C.83, C.89, C.90, C.91, C.92 and C.93.

Description:

Sub-group 1C consists of thirty six stake-holes. Eighteen stake-holes were located around a hearth (C.66) in the north-east corner of the site (C.51, C.52, C.53, C.54, C.55, C.56, C.57, C.61, C.62, C.67, C.68, C.69, C.70, C.71, C.72, C.73, C.74 and C.82). These ranged between 0.04 and 0.13m in length, 0.04 and 0.11m in width and 0.05 and 0.13m in depth. They were either circular or sub-circular in plan with bases that tapered to a rounded point; they were all filled with softly compacted black silt with inclusions of charcoal flecks.

A further eight stake-holes were located towards the east of the site. Seven of these (C.12, C.13, C.14, C.15, C.16, C.17 and C.76) were set around a hearth (C.87). These ranged between 0.05 and 0.10m in length, 0.04 and 0.09m in width and 0.06 and 0.18m in depth. They were all circular or sub-circular in plan and contained a single fill generally composed of black silt with inclusions of pebbles and charcoal.


42

C.59 was located just east of these stake-holes next to pit C.60. It was oval with a base that tapered to a rounded point. Its dimensions were 0.09m in length, 0.08m in width and 0.12m in depth and it contained a single fill of mid brown sandy silt with occasional inclusions of pebbles.

Roughly five metres to the south-east of the above mentioned stake-holes were seven more stake-holes (C.77, C.78, C.79, C.80, C.91, C.92 and C.93) aligned north-east/south-west through the centre of the site. They ranged between 0.05 and 0.14m in length, 0.05 and 0.12m in width and 0.06 and 0.25m in depth and contained a single fill that varied between black silt and brown silt with inclusions of charcoal flecks.

C.89 and C.90 were adjacent to pit C.88 in the south-east corner of the site. C.89 was circular in plan with a diameter of 0.08m and a depth of 0.10m. C.90 was circular in plan with a diameter of 0.13m. They were both filled with mid brown sandy silt with occasional inclusions of charcoal flecks.

C.83 was located in the extreme south-east corner of the site. It was oval in plan with a base that tapered to a point. The dimensions of this stake-hole were 0.08m in length, 0.07m in diameter and 0.17m in depth. It was filled with dark brown sandy silt with oc-casional inclusions of charcoal flecks.

Interpretation:

The eighteen stake-holes surrounding hearth C.66 in the north-east corner of the site would appear to be evidence of a windbreak or spit structure used in conjunction with the hearth.

The seven stake-holes surrounding C.87 would seem to indicate the presence of a spit or grill like structure over the hearth.

The seven stake-holes aligned through the centre of the site (C.77, C.78, C.79, C.80, C.91, C.92 and C.93) are most probably evidence of a windbreak type of construction.

The other stake-holes around the site do not seem to be associated with any type of structure and are probably just from the insertion of single stakes, maybe used for hang-ing things on.

Sub-group 1D - HearthsFigures: 16 and 18.Plates: 27, 29, 32, 34, 35, 39 and 46.Contexts: C.66 (C.44), C.75 (C.64) and C. 87 (C.11).

Description:

There are three hearths in sub-group 1D (C.66, C.75 and C.87). C.66 was located in the north-east corner of the site. It was circular in plan and had a flat base. This hearth had a diameter of 0.42m and a depth of 0.05m; it contained a single fill (C.44) of dark black silt with inclusions of pebbles, charcoal and pieces of burnt bone.

Gortnahown 3-E2477

43


C.75 was c. 8.5m west of C.66. This was a small hearth with dimensions of 0.36m in length, 0.28m in width and 0.08m in depth. It was filled with dark brownish black clayey silt with inclusions of pebbles and charcoal.

C.87 was an area of burnt natural subsoil located towards the east of the site. It was 0.99m in length and 0.50m in width and consisted of light yellowish red clayey silt. Above C.87 was a spread (C.11) consisting of dark brownish black silt with inclusions of pebbles and charcoal.

Interpretation:

C.66 was surrounded by stake-holes and filled with charcoal indicating that it was used for cooking in a domestic capacity.

C.75 was very small; the charcoal rich fill implied that it was used as a hearth; it could be the remains of a fire that was created inside a natural hollow or possibly just a charcoal rich deposit from another feature.

C.87 was an area of burnt natural subsoil below a charcoal rich spread, it appeared to be the remains of a hearth, and stake-holes surrounding it suggested that a spit like struc-ture was built over the hearth, again signifying cooking in a domestic capacity.

Sub-group 1E - Stone SurfaceFigures: 3Plates: 22 and 23Contexts: C.38

Description:

Located in the south-east of the site the stone surface (C.38) in sub-group 1E was 2.78m in length and 1.34m in width. It was made up of mid brown silty sand with inclusions of pebbles and stones, many of the stones were between 0.2 and 0.3m in length.

Interpretation:

The stone surface was probably part of a larger surface that has since been destroyed. It was most likely created for easier access in this area of the site and was probably related to nearby pits C.88 and C.81.

Sub-group 1F - Burnt Natural SubsoilFigures: 2, 17 and 20.Plates: 3, 8, 48 and 51.Contexts: C.9 and C.86.

Description:

Sub-group 1F consists of two areas of burnt natural sub-soil (C.9 and C.86).


44

They were both located in the southern extent of the site. C.9 was light red in colour with a diameter of 0.40m. C.86 was 0.55m long and 0.38m wide and consisted of pinkish brown sand with inclusions of pebbles.

Interpretation:

The two areas of burnt natural subsoil indicate that burning occurred, probably in the form of a small fire.

Gortnahown 3-E2477

45


Appendix 4 Finds register

Area #

Context #

NMI Find #

Category Fabric Artefact type

Short Description/Comments

Date Ini-tials

1 4 1 Stone Flint Flake Debitage 01/06/2007 JOD1 5 1 Ceramic Pottery Body

Sherdsx3 29/05/2007 PR

1 7 1 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd

29/05/2007 PJ


30/05/2007 PJ


30/05/2007 PJ


30/05/2007 PJ

1 7 5 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherds

x2 30/05/2007 PJ


x3 29/05/2007 PJ


x4 30/05/2007 PJ


x4 30/05/2007 PJ


x7 30/05/2007 PJ


x2 31/05/2007 PJ


31/05/2007 PR/PJ


x2 31/05/2007 PR/PJ


x4 31/05/2007 PR/PJ


31/05/2007 PR/PJ


31/05/2007 PR/PJ


x7 31/05/2007 PR/PJ


x3 31/05/2007 PR/PJ


x4 31/05/2007 PR/PJ


x7 31/05/2007 PR/PJ


Decorated 31/05/2007 PS

1 48 2 Stone Flint Core 31/05/2007 PS1 39 1 Ceramic Pottery Body

Sherdsx2 31/05/2007 PR/

PJ1 39 2 Ceramic Pottery Crumbs x4 30/05/2007 PR 1 39 3 Ceramic Pottery Body

Sherdsx2 31/05/2007 PR/

PJ1 39 4 Ceramic Pottery Body

Sherdsx15 01/06/2007 PR/

PJ


46

1 39 5 Ceramic Pottery Crumbs x5 01/06/2007 PR/PJ


01/06/2007 PR/PJ


01/06/2007 PR/PJ


Decorated 01/06/2007 PR/PJ

Gortnahown 3-E2477

47


Appendix 5 Plant remains

By Penny Johnston

IntroductionThis short report details the results of plant remains analysis from Gortnahown 3, Co. Cork (E2477). The site comprised a series of prehistoric features, including structural features (stake-holes and post-holes), pits and hearths.

MethodologyThe samples were collected on site as bulk soil and were processed using machine-as-sisted floatation (following guidelines in Pearsall 2000). The floating material (or ‘flot’) from each sample was collected in a stack of geological sieves (the smallest mesh size was 250mm). When all the carbonised material was collected the flot was then air-dried in paper-lined drying trays prior to storage in airtight plastic bags. The samples were scanned under low-powered magnification (x 10 to x 40) using a binocular microscope.

ResultsThe results of preliminary scanning are presented in Table 1. A total of 14 samples were scanned. Seeds were recovered from just three samples: C.34 (S.6), C.45 (S.14) and C.47 (C.29).

Sample Context % scanned Charcoal Seeds1 24 100 Low Absent3 26 100 Low Absent5 5 100 Medium Absent6 34 100 Medium Low14 45 100 Low Low20 53 100 Absent Absent22 55 100 Low Absent24 20 100 Low Absent28 12 100 Low Absent29 47 100 Low Low33 8 100 Medium Absent34 77 100 Low Absent37 80 100 Low Absent39 4 100 Low Absent

Table1:ScannedsamplesfromGortnahown3,Co�Cork(E2477)


48

Where plant material was found, it was only retrieved in small quantities. The identi-fied material (presented in Table 2) included hazelnut shell fragments, barley grains and a small amount of weed seeds.

Context 47 34 45Sample 29 6 14Hazelnut shell fragments (Corylus avellana L.) 4Cleavers (Galium aparine L.) 2Barley grains (Hordeum vulgare L.) 1 4Indeterminate cereal grains 1

Table2:PlantmaterialinsamplesfromGortnahown3,Co�Cork(E2477)

Hazelnut shell fragments are a ubiquitous find in archaeobotanical assemblages in Ireland. Hazelnut shell is a waste product, not directly consumed, but removed before the nut was eaten, and therefore very likely to be burnt with domestic rubbish. The nut shell is hard and resistant to decay, this ensures that it survives archaeologically. These combined factors ensure that fragments of hazelnut shells are commonly found in charred plant remains assemblages dating to a great variety of periods (Monk 2000).

The only cereal type found was barley. This is a common cereal type recovered from Irish prehistoric deposits; more likely to be found in Bronze Age (see Johnston 2007, 73) rather than Neolithic assemblages, but known from both periods and from occasional assemblages dated to the Iron Age.

ReferencesJohnston, P. 2007 Analysis of Carbonised Plant Remains, pp. 70 – 79 in Grogan, E.,

O’Donnell, L. and Johnston, P. The Bronze Age Landscapes of the Pipline to the West. Bray, Wordwell.

Monk, M. 2000 Seeds and soils of discontent. An environmental archaeological contribution to the nature of the early Neolithic. In Desmond, A., Johnson, G., McCarthy, M., Sheehan, J. and Shee Twohig, E. (eds.) New Agendas in Irish Prehistory. Bray, Wordwell.

Gortnahown 3-E2477

49


Appendix 6 Lithics report

by Farina Sternke

IntroductionTwo lithic finds from the archaeological excavations of prehistoric domestic site in the townland of Gortnahown 3, Co. Cork were presented for analysis (Table 1). The finds are associated with two pits, a series of stakeholes and a hearth.

Con-text

Material Type Cortex Condi-tion

Length (mm)

Width (mm)

Thickn. (mm)

Com-plete

Re-touch

4 Flint Debitage48 Flint Core Yes Burnt 32 14 20 No No

Table1CompositionofthelithicassemblagefromGortnahown3(E2477)

MethodologyAll lithic artefacts were examined visually and catalogued using Microsoft Excel. The following details were recorded for each artefact which measured at least 2 cm in length or width: context information, raw material type, artefact type, the presence of cortex, artefact condition, length, with and thickness measurements, fragmentation and the type of retouch (where applicable). The technological criteria recorded are based on the termi-nology and technology presented in Inizan et al. 1999. The general typological and mor-phological classifications are based on Woodman et al. 2006. Struck lithics smaller than 2 cm were classed as debitage and were not analysed further. The same applies to natural chunks and pebbles. The condition of macro tools was not noted, as they are rarely af-fected by the elements due to their raw material composition.

QuantificationThe lithics are two flaked pieces of flint. One artefact is larger than 2 cm in length and width and was therefore recorded in detail

ProvenanceThe artefacts were recovered from the two pit fills (c. 4 and c. 48).

Condition:The one recorded lithic (E2477:48:2) survives in burnt, incomplete condition and bears the remnants of cortex.


50

Technology/Morphology: The lithics are a piece of flint debitage (E2477:4:1) and a core (E2477:48:2). The core is a bipolar example which was produced on a split pebble and measures 32 mm long, 14 mm wide and 20 mm thick.

Dating:The lithics which are typologically undiagnostic may be dated to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age on technological grounds, i.e. the use of a bipolar technology (O’Hare 2005).

ConservationLithics do not require specific conversation, but should be stored in a dry, stable environ-ment. Preferably, each lithic should be bagged separately and contact with other lithics should be avoided, so as to prevent damage and breakage, in particular edge damage which could later be misinterpreted as retouch. Larger and heavier items are best kept in individual boxes to avoid crushing of smaller assemblage pieces.

Comparative MaterialLate Neolithic/Early Bronze Age material was recently recovered at the nearby sites of Ballinglanna North 1 (E2414), Co. Cork (Sternke 2007a) and Ballinglanna North 2 (E2415), Co. Cork (Sternke 2007b).

DiscussionFlint is available in larger and smaller nodules along the Cork coast or in the glacial tills. The use of a limited single platform and bipolar technology on small to medium sized pebbles is in parts the result of this availability. The majority of these flint nodules are rather small pebbles with an average dimension of 4-6 cm and often only permit the use of a bipolar or scalar technology to efficiently reduce the nodule achieving a maxi-mum outcome, i.e. the largest possible amount of suitable and usable blanks. The result is the regionally dominant split pebble scalar (Late Neolithic) and bipolar (Neolithic and Bronze Age) character of the south-western lithic assemblages.

The core and piece of debitage recovered at Gortnahown 3 form part of this type of assemblage.

SummaryThe two lithic finds from the archaeological excavation at Gortnahown 3 (E2477), Co. Cork are a bipolar flint core and a piece of debitage which represent deposited waste as-sociated with a limited flint knapping at the site.

This site is of minor archaeological importance.

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Archaeological Report - Gortnahown 3, Co. Cork (Ireland)

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