2002:0300 - CURRAHEEN 5, Cork

Nine sites were exposed and investigated at Curraheen 5 on the Ballincollig Bypass, seven of which were archaeological.

Site 1 was exposed at the southern edge of the proposed bypass and consisted of a single oval burnt mound exposed at a height of 15.335m OD. It measured 3.8m by 2.81m, was 0.1m thick and extended into the adjacent field to the south, outside the proposed road-take. The mound consisted of a spread of black clay containing frequent angular and heat-shattered stone and lay directly above the natural, orange, sandy clay and stone. No pit or trough was exposed. The mound had been cut by a number of north–south-running linear features, which measured a maximum of 0.14m in width and 0.12m in depth (16.309m OD) and were 0.24–0.46m apart.

Site 2, a pit, was exposed south of the proposed bypass, to the east of Site 1 and west of Site 9. It had been cut by a possible river channel to the south. The remaining part of the pit was semicircular, 1.7m long and 1m wide, and extended to a depth of 0.38m (14.779m OD). Its sides sloped gradually to a concave base, and it had been filled with a black coarse clay containing frequent inclusions of angular and heat-shattered stone and occasional inclusions of charcoal.

Site 3 was exposed to the north-east of Site 9 and south-west of Sites 4–5. It contained four burnt spreads, redeposited clay, a pit and two linear features. The burnt spreads are likely to have been connected to each other. Only a single oval pit was exposed after excavation, and the site is likely to be associated with the small spread excavated at Site 5 and the rectangular trough and pit exposed nearby at Site 9.

Site 4 was revealed to the east of Site 3 and south of Site 5 and contained a single burnt mound. It was exposed at a height of 14.954m OD. It was roughly oval, 2.4m long and 1.67m wide, with a maximum thickness of 0.24m. It consisted of a deposit of black coarse clay, containing moderate inclusions of angular and heat-shattered stone and rare charcoal flecks, and lay directly above the natural clay.

Site 5 proved to be the remains of a burnt tree bole.

Site 6 was exposed to the north of Site 8 and west of Site 7. It comprised a large oval pit containing a possible hearth and a rectangular wooden trough. An oval pit was also revealed to the south, and a small burnt spread was exposed to the north-east. The wooden trough had been constructed from a number of wooden planks on a bed or carpet of organic material in the western part of a large pit and appeared to have been sealed by a thick orange clay at the sides. A number of burnt limestone fragments were also exposed within the trough after excavation. The trough may have been used in two phases. An additional timber plank had been added across its length, creating two rectangular areas. The smaller area, to the west, had been filled with burnt-mound material, although no burnt mound was exposed on-site. The eastern part of the trough filled up naturally with a number of peat and silty clay layers.

Site 7 was exposed to the east of Site 6 and north-east of Site 8. It contained a trough, two pits, a linear feature and a deposit. The trough was rectangular, 1.8m long and 1.22m wide, with a maximum depth of 0.34m (14.353m OD). It had almost vertical sides and a flat base and had been cut into the natural sand and gravel. The trough had been filled with a black clay containing frequent inclusions of angular and heat-shattered stone and moderate inclusions of charcoal and roots. Some fragmentary traces of poorly preserved wood were exposed at the base of the trough, indicating that it was once lined with wooden planks at its base and sides.

Site 8, though not archaeological in nature, will potentially supply information regarding the prehistoric environment, flora, fauna etc. A dark brown/black, peaty clay was exposed at a depth of c. 2.5m below the natural boulder clay and gravels. This contained a large amount of preserved wood, nuts, occasional inclusions of beetle casings and possible grain fragments.

Site 9 was exposed to the east of Site 2 and south-west of Site 3. It contained a trough, a pit and a field drain. The trough was rectangular, 2.7m long and 1.4m wide, and was 0.32m deep (14.604m OD). It had vertical sides extending to a flat base and had been filled with a black/grey sandy clay containing frequent angular and heat-shattered stone and moderate inclusions of charcoal. The trough had been cut by the field drain and appeared to have been partially cut by the pit to the south-east.

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth