2023:202 - Pulleen, Kanturk, Cork

In total nine trenches (totalling 310 linear meters) were excavated across the footprint of the proposed development. These trenches targeted potential archaeological anomalies identified during a geophysical survey (23R0126) of the landholding. This programme of testing was commissioned by the developer, as part of an application for planning permission for a housing estate at the site. In general, the topsoil within the excavated trenches consisted of a light brown sandy clay with occasional modern inclusions present to the base, including sherds of ceramics, glass and other modern detritus. The topsoil was up to 0.9m deep towards the lower slopes of the field and 0.4m deep along upper slopes of the field. The underlying natural subsoil consisted of a mottled, light yellow/brown clayed sand with occasional boulders, small angular stones and pebble inclusions. It was highly disturbed in places, most noticeably at the southern portion of the field, presumably by land improvement works.

In total, seven potential archaeological features were identified in three of the excavated test trenches (Trenches 4, 5, and 8). Manual investigation showed contemporality between six of the potential features (Trenches 4 and 5) which are most likely the heavily truncated remains of a limekiln (indicated on the 1st edition OS map) and its wider enclosure. The remaining feature, a possible pit, was isolated to Trench 8 and its origin and function remain unknown. However, the rich friable nature of the charcoal concentration within the deposit is suggestive of a late date, most likely post medieval.