2017:572 - KILLEEN (4), Cork

Excavation by Rubicon Heritage Ltd at Killeen 4 was undertaken as part of the N22 Baile Bhuirne–Macroom Road Scheme (Lot 1) Archaeological Consultancy Services Contract. The excavation was carried out on behalf of Cork County Council and funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The excavated features consisted of a late medieval curvilinear feature and an associated small spread of burnt material, most likely from an isolated fire, possibly representing a small curvilinear structure and associated hearth. A field boundary (shown on the 1st 6-inch and 2nd edition 25-inch OS maps), with associated shallow cut/depressions, crossed the southern side of the excavation area in a northeast-southwest direction and truncated the medieval features, making definite interpretation impossible.

Analysis of the environmental remains from the three sampled deposits identified charcoal fragments from oak, hazel and ash as well as charred hazelnut shell. The dominance of hazel could reflect specialised activities such as charcoal production or metalworking at the site as hazel is found in the charcoal record from such features during the later medieval period. In the absence of any diagnostic finds however, it is difficult to fully interpret.

Dating
A total of two radiocarbon dates were obtained from hazelnut shells for the curvilinear feature and the small burnt spread. These returned late medieval dates.