1988:09 - CORK: Harte's Timber Yard, West Ward, Cork

The property, acquired by Beamish and Crawford PLC, is situated just outside the medieval city of Cork at Crosse's Green. Planning permission has been granted for development on the site of a warehouse complex, but requires that archaeological investigation be allowed prior to construction. The property is divided into two units: (a) Southern Mill Buildings and (b) Harte's Timber Stores. A derelict site owned by Cork Corporation separates the two sites. The Southern Mill complex is built on the site of a 13th-century Dominican Priory of St Mary. Investigation in this area was not possible as the buildings are still intact. Preliminary investigation for a period of four weeks was undertaken in June in the timber store and was funded by Beamish and Crawford PLC.

Trenches were excavated by machine along the proposed construction lines, where foundations are being pile driven. A total of four trenches were opened. In Trench 4, after initial deposits of 18th- and 19th-century material were removed, a thin layer of organic material was noted. This layer may have been early 18th or 17th century in date and was formed as a result of dumping on site. Situated beneath this was a considerable deposit of river mud 2m deep. Pieces of timber were present in the mud and the occasional sherd of Saintonge pottery. It is more than likely that the material present in T4 is the result of both tidal flooding and deliberate dumping, as this area, originally known as Clarkes Marsh, is situated between the River Lee and an earlier river channel now enclosed.

The other trenches were opened in the large warehouse south of the now enclosed river channel. Trenches 2 and 3 were only excavated to a depth of 2m because of their proximity to the property boundary walls which were structurally unsafe. The material these trenches produced at this depth was mainly early 18th to 19th century in date. Trench 1 was the most interesting and accessible of the areas investigated, producing evidence of early archaeological remains. A 2m wide cutting was opened and had to be extended by a further 2m when it was discovered that a post-medieval wall was present for a length of 13m in the centre of the cutting. There was a considerable deposit of 17th- and 18th- century material in this cutting, so it was decided to concentrate on two sections, one at each end of the cutting and excavate them by machine. At the northern end, under a layer of river mud, remains of a wattle line with posts set at a 45 degree angle and timbers extending outwards were uncovered at a depth of over 2m. The function of this wattle line is not clear without further investigation. Present in the southern corner of the trench is an early wall line. Associated with both of these features were several sherds of Saintonge pottery and deposits of organic material.

At this stage investigation was suspended, as further work with the machine would destroy the archaeology and resources were not available for a small excavation. A report has been submitted to the company recommending further investigation, but to date no decision has been reached.