2007:281 - KINSALE: Abbeylands (Part of), Cork

The Kinsale Battlefield Project carried out two and a half days of metal detecting on the proposed site of the Lord Deputy’s Main Camp at Kinsale, Co. Cork, between 4 and 6 August 2007. The purpose of the work was to attempt to identify any archaeological survival relating to this, the largest of the English camps occupied during the siege of the Spaniards in Kinsale in 1601.

The Lord Deputy, Charles Blount, established his main encampment on ‘Spital-hill’ in 1601 having moved from nearby Knockrobin Hill to gain a better position from which to conduct the siege. This hill has been identified and is generally referred to today as Camphill (a name which indicates the presence of the camp), but which is in fact made up of a number of townlands of which Camphill is only a component part. It is known from contemporary cartography (e.g. the Trinity College painting of the siege and battle) that the camp crossed the old main Cork–Kinsale road and was probably located over a number of modern-day townlands, including Camphill, Farranrouga North, Abbeylands, Farranrouga South, Mansfield Lands and Spital Lands, the latter townland carrying the name by which the English called the hill in 1601.

The purpose of the detection survey was to assess the survival of any elements relating to the English occupation in the plough zone, which may be indicative of the survival of subsurface archaeological remains. In order to achieve this, the Kinsale Battlefield Project were given permission by Mr Gearóid Wycherley to conduct a licensed metal-detection survey on his lands located in the townland of Abbeylands (part of). This site was chosen as it on the crest of the hill, adjacent to the townland of Camphill and most likely within the confines of the English campsite.

It was felt that the most likely surviving element that would confirm a military presence in 1601 was lead shot. It is known that the camp suffered badly during the foul winter weather, with many of the occupants suffering hardship and death. In such circumstances it was reasoned that lead shot might have been dropped in muddy and inclement conditions and not recovered. A Viking VK20 and Minelab X-Terra 70 metal detector were used, set to discriminate out ferrous material in order to concentrate on metals such as lead. Four transects measuring some 5m by 40m were marked out within which the detection took place, with two running north–south on the front slope (south-facing) side of the hill and two running east–west along its crest. All findspots were recorded and mapped and are currently undergoing post-excavation analysis.

In total, 21 pieces of lead shot were recovered, a remarkable number given the time constraints and limited area of the study. In addition, a number of other objects, including a lead scrap and three heavily corroded coins, were retrieved. The majority of the shot were from a light firearm known as a caliver, the principal gun carried by troops of the period. In addition, a number of the bullets are from a musket, a heavier weapon that required a musket rest to be used when firing. The majority of the lead shot are deformed and seem to be mis-cast or half-cast. This is significant, as it suggests production on site, most probably with small numbers of soldiers using moulds around the campfire. These defective bullets were either discarded or lost and not retrieved. Although analysis is still under way, there are some suggestions that some of the shot may have been transported ready-made to the site, as at least one ball has indications of small circular depressions across its surface, which could be interpreted as compression damage due to it being surrounded by other bullets in a container such as a barrel. Other objects, such as the scrap of lead, may represent the raw material from which the shot was made.

As post-excavation work continues, it is hoped that further information can be gleaned from the assemblage. However, the aims of the work were successful in that it is clear that there is substantial artefactual survival of 1601 material in the area of the Lord Deputy’s Camp. It is suggested that the propensity of plough-zone objects recovered is a good indicator of the potential for subsurface archaeological survival of features such as campfires, latrine and rubbish pits, ditches and possibly human remains. The Kinsale Battlefield Project hope to carry out further work on this and other sites relating to the 1601 siege and battle in the years ahead.

The project would like to thank Mr Wycherley for access to the site, Mr Joe Carey for his continued support and funding, Headland Archaeology Ltd for the provision of tools and equipment and all the volunteers who carried out the work.