County: Cork Site name: BALLYBROWNEY LOWER 2
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO44-079 Licence number: 03E1132
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Pit
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 579112m, N 590506m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.066118, -8.304639
Testing was carried out in advance of construction along the route of the proposed N8 Rathcormac–Fermoy Bypass on behalf of Cork County Council. In 2002, during this phase of centre-line testing, two features of archaeological potential were exposed in Ballybrowney Lower. The site was subsequently designated Ballybrowney Lower 2 and was excavated in August 2003.
An area measuring 900m2 was opened around and between these two features. The first feature comprised a pit 0.44m north–south by 0.3m with a depth of 0.2m. The pit contained a large quantity of stone and charcoal was also recovered from the fill. The second feature consisted of a clayey silt spread, 1.2m by 2m and 0.21m deep. Tiny flecks of charcoal were visible within this material. There was insufficient charcoal present from which to obtain a date, but a sample was taken from the pit. Radiocarbon analysis will provide a date for the pit, but, as both features are isolated, their significance is limited. This work was funded by the National Development Plan and awarded by the National Roads Authority.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
