2003:0320 - MONDANIEL 3, Cork

The N8 Rathcormac–Fermoy Bypass is c. 17.5km in length and will extend from the northern end of the new N8 Glanmire–Watergrasshill Road in the townland of Meenane, passing to the west of Rathcormac and east of Fermoy and onto the existing N8 at Moorepark West. Testing was carried out by Donald Murphy in advance of construction along the route of the proposed road on behalf of Cork County Council in 2002 under licences 02E0713–02E0720 (Excavations 2002, No. 346). During this phase of centre-line testing a series of dispersed features of archaeological potential was identified at Mondaniel. The site was subsequently designated Mondaniel 3 and was excavated in August/September 2003.

Two areas within the road corridor revealed archaeological deposits/features: Trenches I and II. Trench I measured 35m north–south by 48m. Three shallow pits were exposed, none of which produced any finds. A sherd of possible Neolithic pottery, however, was recovered in the topsoil during topsoil-stripping of this area.

Trench II measured approximately 60m north–south by 66m. The features exposed are described as Areas A–D. Area A consisted of a large, roughly circular limekiln, which produced evidence of two phases of activity: an earlier large outer kiln (F28), and a smaller kiln (F124) built inside the original structure. The walls of both kilns were roughly concentric on the eastern side, whereas on the western side the wall of F28 was reused for the second phase of activity associated with F124. It was originally thought that F28 functioned as a retaining wall for F124, but the level of vitrification and lime deposits on its inner face would suggest that it was directly exposed to extremely high temperatures. Several dump layers, representing deliberate backfilling, were excavated from the centre of the structure, and overlay spreads of lime and burnt ashy deposits. The latter deposits are thought to represent the last use of the kiln. Evidence for a stone-lined flue was uncovered on the western part of the structure. This channel may have been used both as a flue and a stoking trench for raking out the lime. No dating evidence was recovered from the kiln; however, charcoal samples were recovered from its base.

Area B was located approximately 2–3m to the west of Area A. It consisted of a funnel/cone-shaped stone-lined pit which narrowed towards the base. A flue/drain passed underneath the pit and widened out into a stone-lined channel at either side of the circular structure. The base of the structure was lined with flat flagstones, over which was a hard compact layer of trampled lime. This structure is likely to have functioned as a small kiln. The original use of the structure involved the use of high temperatures, evident from the oxidisation around the edges of the cut. There was no evidence of vitrification on the inner face of the structure, however. Several phases of activity were apparent from the excavations in Area B, including the reuse of this kiln as a dump for layers of redeposited oxidised soil, lime and charcoal, which may represent waste material from Area A.

Area C consisted of a roughly rectangular structure, evident in the form of stake-holes, post-holes and linear trenches. It was located approximately 2m to the south of Area A. A sherd of possible medieval pottery was recovered from one area within the structure. A decorated rotary quernstone and a hone stone were also recovered from large pits relating to the rectangular structure. Area C is located approximately 1m from Area A (large kiln), yet there is no physical relationship between either structure. It may be suggested, therefore, that they are contemporary. 14C dating from both structures will confirm this at a later stage.

Area D consists of a number of post-holes and shallow pits enclosed by a shallow curvilinear trench edged with kerbstones. No finds were recovered from this area.

This work was funded in full by the National Development Plan 2000–2006 and was awarded by the National Roads Authority.