2003:0176 - BRIGOWN, Cork

Test-trenches were excavated before construction of 28 dwellings and a crèche at a greenfield site c. 1km south-east of Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. The southern corner of the proposed development is located within the zone of archaeological potential for St Finnchu’s Stone (SMR 19:31). This is a large millstone located on the south side of Ballynamona Bridge and was found to be in no danger from the proposed development.

A total of 29 trenches were excavated on the footprint of the foundations of the houses and their associated access roads. Archaeological material was recorded in three of these trenches.

Trench 6 was situated along the route of the access road in the southern corner of the site and was 11m long, 1m wide and 0.7m deep. A thin layer of black silt with heat-shattered stones was recorded overlying the subsoil. The trench was extended south in order to establish the limits of the feature. The results showed a patchy layer of fulacht fiadh material c. 3m long and varying from 0.1 to 1m wide. All of the remaining topsoil was removed, but no further features were observed in this Phase 1 section.

Trench 20 was located in the northern corner of the site and two features were recorded. The first was a charcoal-rich deposit with a fragment of metal slag. The layer extended under the north-west limit of the trench but was visible for 0.58m by 0.58m. The second area was located 6m to the north-east. It was composed of charcoal-rich, dark brown/black silt and included numerous fragments of iron slag. The feature was orientated north–south and extended under both sides of the trench.

Trench 21 was situated on the proposed access road c. 20m south-east of Trench 20. A second possible ditch was recorded and its fill was composed of light-grey mottled sandy silt. It was c. 1m wide and only visible for 1m in length, as it extended under the limits of the trench.

Mitigation included the full excavation and recording of the fulacht fiadh material in Trench 6 (see No. 177, Excavations 2003, 03E1153) together with monitored topsoil-stripping in the area of Trenches 18–21.

Seventeen pits and seven linear features were revealed when the topsoil was removed. They were divided into two areas. Area 1 to the south-west had ten pits and four linear features. The pits were generally circular or oval in plan and in some cases were rich in charcoal and slag. They varied in size from 0.4 to 3m in diameter. The largest pit was associated with a linear feature that was also rich in charcoal and slag. Three smaller linear features were also recorded.

In Area 2 to the north-east seven pits and three linear features were revealed. The features in this area show high concentrations of burning, with charcoal and slag evident and in two to three cases burning in situ was also recorded. The linear features in this area varied in shape and form. The narrowest was curved and visible for c. 4m and then extended into the main linear feature and under the baulk; it contained charcoal and slag. The second linear feature also had high concentrations of charcoal and slag, which were reduced as it extended southwards to its terminal. The northern end of this feature also extended into the third linear feature, the most extensive revealed, orientated north-east/south-west and extending beyond the limits of the excavation. It was visible for c. 10m and showed a terminal with less charcoal on the south-west side. The feature was over 1m deep, with one, and possibly a second, recut. It was full of black, charcoal-rich silt with redeposited natural and a large amount of metal slag. The cut and recut showed a wide U-shaped section.

The majority of the features include large amounts of charcoal and slag and, together with in situ burning, indicate that the area was used as a metalworking site. No artefactual evidence was recorded that would indicate a period of use for the site.

3 Canal Place, Tralee, Co. Kerry