County: Cork Site name: CASTLELANDS, Mallow
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 33:11(01), (02) Licence number: 00E0830 ext.
Author: Avril Purcell, Sheila Lane & Associates
Site type: Ringfort - rath
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 556567m, N 598394m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.135703, -8.634444
Test-trenching was initially undertaken on the site during 2000 (Excavations 2000, No. 146). Parts of the site lie within the zone of archaeological potential for three sites: two ringforts and a circular enclosure. The site assessment during 2000 indicated that the circular enclosure was a geological feature and that deposits associated with the ringfort SMR 33:10 were not located within the site and thus would not be affected by the development. However, the extent of survival of deposits associated with the levelled ringfort 33:11(01) was not certain. Deposits of archaeological potential were revealed in one trench, Trench 6, opened across the site.
Further assessment of this area was necessary to determine the extent of survival of the potential archaeological deposits. Four additional test-trenches were opened across the area of the levelled ringfort to further assess the extent of its survival.
Deposits of archaeological potential were revealed in two of the four test-trenches. In Trench 8, a spread 3.3m long within the trench possibly represented the truncated remains of the ringfort ditch. In Trench 9, a spread 4.3m long was revealed which again may represent the truncated remains of the ringfort ditch.
The developer has agreed to the preservation in situ of these deposits. The area in question will remain a green area and will be flanked by an access road. The road will be constructed outside of the area of known archaeological deposits.
Archaeological monitoring of this work was recommended.
AE House, Monahan Road, Cork
