2012:120 - Scarteen Lower, Cork

A programme of monitoring was initially carried out by Munster Archaeology as part of planning conditions attached to a proposed yard development associated with the Newmarket Cooperative Creameries Ltd (above No. 119). During works burnt mound activity was identified. These features were then subject to excavation in July and August of 2012.

Three burnt mounds were identified within the proposed development area (Burnt Mound A, B and C). The site was also traversed by a number of post-medieval ditches and drains. Burnt mound A was located at the very north-east of the site measuring c. 7m by 4m. It was largely levelled through ploughing. No trough was identified associated with this burnt mound. Burnt mound B was located at the centre of the site and mostly comprised a thin spread (<0.1m deep) of disturbed burnt mound material, which in part overlay a deposit of topsoil which contained modern finds. Overall this measured 27m north-east/south-west and was up to 9m wide (although the majority of this consisted of a flattened spread of disturbed burnt mound material). It is likely that two circular pits and a trough associated with a curvilinear gully were directly associated with this burnt mound. Burnt Mound C was located in the east of the site and measured up to 16m north-east/south-west by up to 16m. Again this was heavily disturbed and consisted of burnt mound material which contained modern finds. This burnt mound was up to 0.5m deep in parts. Directly associated with this was a truncated trough.

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