County: Cork Site name: BALLYVERGAN WEST
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E0549
Author: Helen Kehoe and Daniel Noonan for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site and Structure
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 606420m, N 576739m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.942712, -7.906627
The initial opening of the site showed features dispersed over a large area. However, when cleaned and examined, the site reduced down to three elements: a main focus of activity, being a dense cluster of pits, post-holes and stake-holes; an isolated circular structure (Structure H); and a series of widely dispersed, continuous field drains that truncated and post-dated all other features.
The main focus of activity consisted of an unenclosed area, measuring 10m by 10m, containing a large number of pits, post-holes and stake-holes. In most cases it proved difficult to assign them to a particular structure. However, there is evidence of at least one oval/subcircular structure (Structure C), in association with a number of structures identified as fencing and a second possible lean-to structure (Structure G). Three external hearths were identified, along with a number of large refuse pits which produced coarseware pottery (including a small decorated sherd), whetstones, rubbing stones, fragments of saddle querns, burnt bone and burnt hazelnut shells.
Carbon samples were taken from three of the pits that formed the main concentration of occupation. Pit C90 produced a 2-sigma calibration date of cal. BC 1210–920 (cal. BP 3160–2870). Pit C102 produced a 2-sigma calibration date of cal. BC 1450–1110 (cal. BP 3400–3060). Pit C85 produced a 2-sigma calibration date of cal. BC 1450–1190 (cal. BP 3400–3140). The mean of these dates would put the occupation at Ballyvergan West in the mid- to late 2nd millennium BC. This would compare with similar excavated sites such as Benedin, excavated by Cia Mc Conway (Excavations 1998, No. 589, 98E0430), and Knockalton Upper (Site B), excavated by Richard N. O’Brien (Excavations 1998, No. 607, 97E0320), both in County Tipperary, and sites at Ballycummin, Co. Limerick, excavated by Paul Logue and Audrey Gahan (Excavations 1998, Nos 382 and 383, 98E0108 and 98E0504 respectively).
A larger circular structure, 11m in diameter (Structure H), approximately 10m to the south of the main area of activity, was also excavated. It was constructed with 20 post-holes and had two shallow internal pits; its function and connection to the other structures remain unclear, but it may be contemporaneous.
The drainage ditches, which were considerably later than the occupational features and are believed to be post-medieval in date, produced a complete, though fragmentary, rotary quernstone, a heavily corroded iron object and a piece of copper alloy.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
