2025:207 - Ballyhemiken 3, Cork

Excavation at Ballyhemiken 3, as part of the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Motorway scheme, revealed at least one Neolithic house, possible medieval features and several post-medieval field boundaries. Stage (iv) post-excavation analysis is still pending. Below is a preliminary bulletin.
The preliminary assessment of the results of the excavation suggests the presence of an Early Neolithic building located at Ballyhemiken 3, Area A. The structural evidence suggests that the main building (Structure A) comprised a rectangular foundation trench with walls constructed from post and wattle. Five internal post-holes and a hearth were identified, and it is believed that these features divided the house into two rooms and supported the roof of the structure. Several post-holes to the east of the foundation trench suggest an annexe or an overlapping later building (Structure A2). Sixteen potentially associated features including post-holes and pits were identified outside of the main structure to the north-east.
An additional possible structure (Structure B) was tentatively identified c. 16m north-east of Structure A. It comprised a cluster of several post-holes c. 4m in diameter, adjacent an external hearth. No artefacts were found in association and dating is pending.
Across the remainder of the site, thirty-six other features, which comprised isolated pits and stake-holes (with no obvious structural alignment or function) were recorded, as was the terminus of a possibly later post-medieval ditch. There is no evidence to suggest the site extends beyond the scheme boundary.
A total of 373 artefacts, including prehistoric pottery, lithics, crystal, stone and metal objects, were recovered during excavation and subsequent sample processing. Several of these numbered finds consist of numerous refitting sherds/crumbs of pottery that will need to be assessed by a specialist before final finds numbering is completed. Archaeological materials including charred plant remains, animal bone and metalworking debris were also recovered.

Area A(i)- 573890, 564491; Area A(ii)- 573867,564450; Area B-573859, 564519 (cutting centroid).