County: Cork Site name: Slievereagh 2
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E004988
Author: Bruce Sutton, Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd
Site type: Prehistoric burnt mounds
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 519419m, N 578638m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.953985, -9.172345
Excavation by Rubicon Heritage Ltd at Slievereagh 2 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.
Excavation recorded the remains of two burnt mounds, A and B, with a trough and well associated with Mound A. There was no stratigraphic relationship between the two mounds but radiocarbon dating places Mound B as later in date.
Mound A was located in the northwest part of the site on a relatively level patch of ground on an otherwise sloping hillside. A layer of very soft light greenish yellow peaty clay was found between the main deposits of mound material and the natural subsoil, especially on the edges of the mound. This layer contained frequent plant fibre and wood fragment inclusions. It was not found over any of the cut features, suggesting that it was the remnants of an earlier topsoil layer, sealed by the burnt mound. This layer was radiocarbon dated to 1879-1685 cal BC (SUERC-86099).
The mound consisted of six distinct layers of heat-shattered stone and measured approximately 19 m northwest-southeast x 13 m, with a maximum depth of 1.2 m. However, the maximum dimensions northeast-southwest could not be fully established due to the presence of a stream backfilled with large boulders. Secure radiocarbon dates from seven samples for the mound and underlying features returned an overall 2 sigma date range of 1744-1212 cal BC. The upper disturbed mound layer returned a date of 1207-1011 cal BC (SUERC-86100), although it is not clear whether this date is from intrusive material.
The trough measured 3.72 m long, 1.56 m wide and up to 0.28 m deep. It was shallow and, due to being cut into a slope, would have held little water. An intermittent stone lining lay around the upper edge of the trough, and one badly degraded plank lay in the base. Stakeholes were cut into the base with no clear pattern. A large mound of redeposited clay, lying adjacent to the mound, likely represents upcast from its construction. A small pile of stones, possibly a stockpile was located north of the trough.
A large cut feature was located to the west of the trough. This consisted of a sub-circular pit. The feature lay directly adjacent to the edge of excavation, formed by a backfilled active stream. The pit which was lined with sub-angular stones of various sizes, filled naturally with water and is thought to represent a well.
A path made of large stones extended from the top of the hill to the area between the trough and well. The path was orientated from north to south and measured 6.7 m long by up to 1.2 m wide.
The remnants of a rough stone structure were found embedded within mound deposits. This roughly oval structure, orientated east to west, was constructed with large slabs of red sandstone. It is possible that this was used as a hearth as the burnt mound grew around the trough.
Mound B was small in size measuring 7.66 m long by 5.3 m wide and 0.38 m deep. No cut features were identified associated with Mound B. Mound B returned a radiocarbon date of 1109-926 cal BC (SUERC-86101).
Unit 2, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork P25 TV25
