County: Cork Site name: MONDANIEL (2)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO044-089---- Licence number: 03E0985
Author: Eamonn Cotter, for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Charcoal-making site
Period/Dating: Late Medieval (AD 1100-AD 1599)
ITM: E 579909m, N 592963m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.088228, -8.293162
Testing in this area was carried out in 2002 by Donald Murphy, on behalf of Cork County Council, in advance of construction of the route of the proposed N8 Rathcormac–Fermoy Bypass Scheme (Excavations 2002, No. 346, 02E0713–02E0720). A number of possible features were identified. These were designated as Mondaniel 2 and full excavation was carried out in June/July 2003.
Three circular pits were discovered, one measuring 1.3m by 0.9m and 0.2m deep, one measuring 1.6m by 1m and 0.3m deep and the third measuring 0.42m diameter and 0.09m deep. Given the layering of dense charcoal within the fills of the two larger pits, they are believed to have been charcoal production pits. The size and morphology of the smaller pit, and the intense burning at its base, suggest it may have been a bowl furnace, though no metal slag was recovered. However, all features are likely to have been severely truncated by ploughing. A number of post-holes were also excavated in the area, though these did not form any coherent pattern. Charcoal samples were retained and radiocarbon dates are pending.
Full funding for this work was provided by the National Development Plan 2002–2006 and was awarded through the National Roads Authority.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
