2002:0215 - BALLINASPIG MORE 5, Cork

Monitoring, carried out as part of the N22 Ballincollig Bypass Scheme in the townland of Ballinaspig More, revealed settlement activity spreading possibly over four millennia, from the Bronze Age to the 1800s. The pre-development works for the construction of a large interchange in this townland unearthed a large number of archaeological features. Bronze Age activity was best represented, and, in an area measuring c. 400m east–west by 150m, two fulachta fiadh (Nos 216 and 217, Excavations 2002, 02E1230 and 02E1233), a possible truncated cremation pit (No. 214, Excavations 2002, 02E0947) and two possible Bronze Age structures and associated features (this report) were unearthed.

The site measured 130m east–west by 30m, and excavation revealed a possible multi-phased settlement with at least four structures present. The site was on a slight ridge west of the Twopot River, on good agricultural land. The most recent of the four structures identified was a rectangular dwelling from the 1800s. Associated with this building were a stone yard and a number of drainage ditches. The structure measured just under 12m east–west by 5m; its remains consisted of shallow foundation trenches excavated into the silty clay subsoil, each containing a single course of a stone wall. Finds from these foundation trenches were all relatively modern, mainly comprising what would be expected from a domestic context. This structure appeared to be the remains of a farm cottage with an entrance to the north-west. Its presence was not noted on any of the Ordnance Survey maps.

To the south-east of this was a discontinuous circular alignment of post-holes with a diameter of 7.4m. These eleven post-holes would have housed stout posts and had an average diameter of 0.4m and depth of 0.36m. No hearth, occupational layers or internal features were uncovered during the excavation of this structure, which suggests that it may not have been used as a dwelling. However, it is possible that natural erosion truncated a number of these post-holes, possibly removing a few altogether, particularly along the north and north-east. The location of this structure on the eastern edge of the ridge may have led to occupational evidence being scoured away by water action, a process that was observed during the excavation of this site. Soon after this feature was exposed, rainwater formed a channel through its interior. Unfortunately, no diagnostic finds were recovered from this structure, but charcoal was retrieved from a number of the post-holes.

A smaller, shallow, post-built structure, which possibly post-dates the previous one, was present to the south-west of it. The post-holes of this structure contained iron nails and fragments of slate, and their fills were completely different from those of the larger circular structure.

Evidence of the fourth structure, which was circular, with a diameter of c. 5m, comprised a small slot-trench, post-holes and a hearth. The slot-trench contained the burnt remains of split timber planks. This slot-trench existed only in the south-west of the structure, possibly acting as a windbreak from the prevailing south-westerly winds. The rest of the structure may have been constructed of wattle and daub, and a small central post may have helped to support a roof structure. It appears that this hut was of flimsy construction, and the split planks within the slot-trench were unlikely to be load bearing. The hearth was present within the south-eastern quadrant of the structure. It is quite possible that this structure may not have had a domestic function and alternatively may have been used as a working or storage area. Numerous sherds of possible Bronze Age pottery were found within the hearth.

Further settlement evidence was present south-west of this structure over an area of 20m2. A large number of pits and post-holes containing occupational debris in the form of dark, rich soils with numerous sherds of prehistoric (Bronze Age) pottery and stone tools were present. It is possible that the features and structures excavated within this site lay on the northern periphery of a larger settlement site, the nucleus of which would be south of the road-take.

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