2009:149 - GEARAGH, Cork

The site was located on a south-facing slope of well-drained pastureland. Three phases of activity were identified on the basis of the finds recovered during excavation. The first phase represents Bronze Age settlement activity. During Phase 2 there was evidence that iron smelting was being carried out somewhere in the vicinity of the site. Phase 3 relates to post-medieval agricultural activity.
The main area of settlement activity was located on the central part of the site and extended beyond the western limit of excavation. It was characterised by three clusters of post-holes, which did not form a coherent structural plan, and several refuse and storage pits representing associated domestic activity. The recovery of a sherd of coarseware pottery typically dating to the Late Bronze Age and numerous struck flint pieces indicate that this activity probably dates to the later Bronze Age. Further evidence for settlement was identified 32m to the north where five large post-holes were located. These undoubtedly represent structural remains, although they did not form a coherent floor plan. A prehistoric date is indicated by a struck flint recovered from one of the post-holes and, while these features may be contemporary with the pits to their south, definitive dating awaits the results of radiocarbon analysis.
The second phase of activity was represented by two pits on the northern end and another pit on the southern end of the site. These pits contained iron slag but there was no evidence that smelting had been carried out on site and the pits probably held refuse from iron working carried out nearby.
The final phase of activity was characterised by agricultural activity. A sherd of North Devon gravel tempered ware, recovered from one of two linear ditches on the southern end of the site, dates this activity to the 17th century or later.