2023:501 - Spaglen, Mallow, Cork

Twenty trenches were excavated across two pasture fields following geophysical survey and in advance of a proposed  residential development. The geophysical survey identified a portion of a previously unrecorded circular enclosure in the north-west corner of the proposed development site along with several other potential archaeological features which were described as positive responses possibly representing pits, post-holes, cut features, spreads or natural geology (Murphy 2023). Several trends (curvilinear, linear and oval) were defined, one of which was identified as possibly representing the remains of a ring ditch approximately 30m south of the enclosure.

Three trenches were excavated across the enclosure which was defined by two shallow ditches, the inner one ranging between 0.5m deep and 1.5m wide to 0.17m deep and 0.9m wide and the outer one up to 1m wide and 0.2m deep and 0.8m wide and 0.5m deep. An internal spread approximately 2m diameter was identified within the enclosure but not further investigated. The features were generally poorly defined and ephemeral in nature. No finds were identified.

A single trench was excavated across the trend representing the possible ring ditch which identified a shallow ditch (0.28m deep x 0.9m wide) at its northern side and a wide (2.7m) stoney band at its southern side. Internally a cluster of three possible post-holes or small pits were identified but not further investigated. No finds were identified.

A number of large vertically cut pits identified in the geophysical survey were investigated in the trenches. Two were between 10m and 40m east of the enclosure, at the north-west of the proposed development site. One measured 3.5m diameter and the other 7m east-west by in excess of 5m. Limited investigation by hand indicated both had steeply-cut sides and were in excess of 0.3m depth. No finds were identified.

A third pit was investigated at the southern end of the site in excess of 200m away. This measured 5.5m east-west by in excess of 4.4m. A single sherd of modern pottery was recovered from the top of the deposit but poor weather conditions made it impossible to determine the origin of the sherd (whether in topsoil or the upper fill). The feature is considered to be of archaeological significance.

Further archaeological works will be carried out in advance of proposed development in combination with the proposed preservation in situ of the archaeological deposits identified in the north-west of the site.

Reference:

Murphy, D. 2023. Report on Geophysical Survey at Spaglen, Mallow, Co. Cork (unpublished report)