2015:384 - KILBRITTAIN, Cork

Monitoring and excavation were undertaken in association with the development of Kilbrittain GAA Club in Co. Cork. The area of the development of the new GAA facilities is located within the zone of archaeological potential surrounding an early ecclesiastical enclosure which contains a church (in ruins) and a graveyard (CO-123-022-01-03).

Historical and Archaeological Background
The site is located in the townland and parish of Kilbrittain and the barony of East Carbery. Kilbrittain GAA Club development extends into the south-west quadrant of the zone of archaeological potential of an early ecclesiastical enclosure (CO123-022-01), a graveyard (CO123-022-02) and the ruins of a medieval church (CO123-022-03). The site is described by Power:

‘Early ecclesiastical enclosure (CO123-022-01): Large sub-circular enclosure surrounding the church and graveyard, visible as shadow site in aerial photograph. Dotted line indicating circular ‘Glebe’ on OS map (1842) roughly follows line of enclosure visible in aerial photograph. No visible surface trace.’ (1992, 272)

Graveyard (CO123-022-02) 
‘In pasture on gentle S-facing slope, in centre of early ecclesiastical enclosure. Rectangular yard (28.4m NS; 40m E-W) enclosed by iron railing. Partially overgrown but still in occasional use. Inscribed headstones date from 1830s. Contains fragmentary remains of a church.’ (ibid. 347).

Church (CO123-022-03)

‘In NE quadrant of graveyard, ruins of rectangular church (16m E-W; 6m N-S). Only sod-covered foundations survive except for W gable and short return of S wall. In repair in 1615 but in ruins by 1699.’ (ibid. 338).

Monitoring Results
Monitoring of topsoil stripping in the area of Pitch 1 was undertaken in August and September 2015. All of the topsoil was removed from the area of the pitch and nine areas of archaeological potential were identified. All of these areas were hand-cleaned and the features excavated.

Results of Excavation
Two isolated features, the base of a hearth C.2 and a pit C.3 were located in Area 1. A single slot trench (4m x 0.6m x 0.2m) was located in Area 2 28m east of Area 1. Features in Areas 3 and 4 were related to field clearance and were modern. The base of two truncated hearths were excavated in Area 5. Two stake-holes were associated with one of the hearths. A group of four small pits were excavated in Area 6. One was a cremation pit which contained the remains of a juvenile and an adult individual. A roasting pit was excavated in Area 7. It measured c. 1m in diameter by 0.2m in depth. The north edge of the pit was stone-lined and two small pits were located in the south side of the pit. A slot trench and isolated pit were located in Area 8. The base of a truncated hearth and three stake-holes which formed part of a fireside cooking spit were excavated in Area 9. A medieval date of cal AD 1270–1381 (UB–30584) was returned from the basal charcoal of the hearth.

Cremated Bone Analysis
The cremated bone from the site was analysed by Linda Lynch. A total of 92.1g (527 fragments) of remains were recovered. All identifiable bone was human in origin: no animal remains were identified. On the basis of the size of fragments of the cranium, there appears to be the remains of a juvenile individual, who may have been aged between 7-12 years at the time of death. Two other fragments also suggest the bones of an adult individual.

Discussion
The archaeological features excavated in Areas 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 can be assigned to two phases of activity, prehistoric and medieval. The two slot trenches excavated in Area 2 and Area 8 could be associated with either phase of activity. The trenches were truncated and no features associated with them had survived.

Prehistoric Period
Archaeological features, dated on typological grounds to the prehistoric period, were recorded in Area 6 and Area 8. A total of four small shallow pits located near one another were recorded in Area 6. One of the pits contained over 500 fragments of cremated human bone, belonging to a juvenile and an adult individual. A sample of the cremated bone was chosen by Linda Lynch and sent for AMS dating but unfortunately no radiocarbon date could be obtained. The pit in Area 8 was similar in size to those excavated in Area 6 and may belong to the same phase of activity.

Medieval Period
A total of four outdoor hearths were recorded. The hearths were similar in size and form and all were truncated. They were set on the ground and had no formal setting or cut. The underlying subsoil had been heat-scorched to a depth, on average, of 0.1-0.2m. They probably represent the remains of outdoor cooking hearths. A medieval date of cal AD 1270–1381 (UB–30584) was returned from the basal charcoal of the hearth in Area 9. It is likely that all the hearths date to the medieval period and represent the remains of dispersed occupation or outdoor activity on the terrace to the south of the early ecclesiastical enclosure (CO123-022-01). Hearthside furniture in the form of stake-holes was associated with two of the hearths in Area 5 and Area 9. They represent the remains of fireside spits used for cooking. Tiny fragments of burnt bone, too small to be analyzed, were recovered from one of the stake-holes adjacent to the hearth in Area 9. The roasting pit excavated in Area 7 was different in form to the remains of the four outdoor hearths. It was probably used for cooking and may date to the medieval period.

Reference
Power, Denis (1992) The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork : Vol. 1, Dublin, Stationary Office.