2022:284 - CASTLETREASURE, Cork

Three discrete areas of probable archaeological activity on the footprint of an approved housing development were identified during two programmes of archaeological investigation. These programmes comprised of a geophysical survey (20R0043), which was carried out within greenfield areas of the subject site in March 2020, and a subsequent programme of archaeological testing (20E0244) carried out in May 2020.

Trench one was opened to investigate an area of burning identified during the testing process. A small, ephemeral shallow lens containing small flecks of charcoal was observed and deemed to have no archaeological significance.

Trench two was opened to investigate another area of potential burning. Here a spread containing charcoal flecks was identified within the centre of the area opened.

Trench three was opened to investigate a series of post-holes and pits that had been identified during the earlier programmes of archaeological investigation. A sample of alder charcoal within the fill of one of the pits excavated returned a date of cal BC 772–481 suggesting that the activity represented by the archaeological remains noted within this site dated to the Late Bronze Age.