County: Cork Site name: SKAHANAGH NORTH (1)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO053-106---- Licence number: 03E1460
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Pit-burial
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 577558m, N 586349m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.028690, -8.327026
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 on to the existing N8 at Moorepark West. Testing was carried out in advance of construction along the route of the proposed road on behalf of Cork County Council in 2002 by Donald Murphy (Excavations 2002, No. 346, 02E0713–02E0720). During this phase of centre-line testing, a possible post-hole and a cremation pit were identified at Skahanagh North. The site was subsequently designated Skahanagh North 1 and was excavated in August 2003.
A large area (100m2) around the features was stripped of topsoil and the sod and topsoil combined measured 0.3m in depth. The remains of a pit were evident, although much of it was removed by the previous phase of testing. It was roughly circular in shape with a maximum diameter of 0.24m. The cremation was removed during the testing phase and analysis of this material has yet to be undertaken. It would appear that the cremation burial existed in isolation, as extensive testing in this area failed to identify any associated features. It is expected that a programme of post-excavation analysis will commence early in 2004 and radiocarbon analysis should provide a date for this burial. This work was funded in full by the National Development Plan 2000–2006 and was awarded by the National Roads Authority.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
