2018:344 - N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom, Coolavokig 3, Cork

Coolavokig 3 was located on the proposed N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Project (Lot 2). The site occupied parts of two fields and straddled a mechanically-rectified stream. The western field occupies a pronounced hillock, sloping steeply down to the stream at the east.

The excavation revealed evidence of at least three phases of activity. The earliest material on site was natural peat accumulation that pre-dated the human activity. The archaeological deposits were characterised by a heavily disturbed burnt stone spread under which was a small hearth. The latest phase of activity on the site was more recent agricultural activity that appears to have disturbed the burnt stone spread. Two other smaller spreads of burnt stones were heavily disturbed.

A hearth lay on the western bank of the stream, close to its edge. The hearth occupied a 0.3m deep hollow formed by the removal of natural boulders, creating a bowl-shaped depression. The hollow measured externally 2.75m by 2.35m and enclosed an oval internal basal space of 1.6m by 1m. The base of the hearth was oxidised white, indicating in situ burning.

A large semi-circular burnt stone spread lay on the western bank of the stream overlying both the natural peat deposit and the hearth. The spread, which measured 13.8m by 8.25m and was 0.06-0.12m thick, was composed of loose black grey silt with frequent heat-shattered stone; the stones had an average diameter of 0.08m. The spread appeared to have been disturbed.

There were two other burnt stone deposits on the site but both of these were heavily disturbed and mixed with topsoil and roots, suggesting that they may have been formed by up-cast from dredging out the stream bed.

Ahish, Ballinruan, Crusheen, Co. Clare