County: Cork Site name: MOUNT GABRIEL
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Billy O'Brien, Department of Archaeology, University College Cork
Site type: Mine - copper (MG 3 & 4)
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 493772m, N 534870m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.556380, -9.531967
Excavation of a small primitive mining camp, located on the eastern slopes of Mt. Gabriel, was carried out from August to October 1985. As the first major excavation of a 'Mt. Gabriel-type' mine in SW Ireland, it was the intention of this work to develop an extensive field survey and limited excavation previously carried out between 1982 and 1985. The excavation was primarily concerned with a detailed enquiry into the geological setting of the mining site, the ore extraction and processing technology employed in these operations and, finally, the wider cultural and chronological background.
The excavation area (MG-31 1) consisted of 2 small 'Mt. Gabriel-type' mine workings, located on an exposed east-facing ledge and exploiting an outcropping cupriferous fraction of the sedimentary succession in this area. In addition to these shallow bedrock excavations with their contained infill deposits, extensive work was also carried out on the associated spoil or waste dumps, located immediately outside. Finally, a further area was investigated in the hope of shedding new light on further ore processing activities and associated temporary habitation in the mining camp.
The entrance area and underground excavation permitted a detailed investigation of the nature and genesis of the peat-based infill deposits and the overall morphology of the mine working. Large assemblages of stone mining tools were recovered from the mine interior, in addition to considerable quantities of waterlogged wood, the latter including artefactual material.
Investigation of the associated spoil dumps will eventually lead to increased understanding of the ore processing technology employed in these operations, as well as providing large assemblages of stone mining tools and suitable sample material for radiocarbon determination. Excavation also revealed a possible habitation structure and 'fulacht fiadh-type' trough on the periphery of the spoil dumps, in addition to evidence of various ancillary 'service' activities.
Post-excavation research is currently being undertaken and will include such studies as mineralogical examination of sampled ore material, palynological analysis of mine interior peat development, a sedimentological investigation of the spoil material, stone mining tool and waterlogged wood research etc. It is hoped to have the final excavation report available by late 1986; it will include a series of radiocarbon determinations, which will hopefully resolve recent concerns regarding the dating of these mines.
Finally, limited conservation work will be undertaken in the near future, to convert the excavation site into a visitor area.
