2023:853 - Shanbally 6, Cork

The excavation of Shanbally 6 revealed a ring‐ditch which contained cremated remains and some slag, two pits, a small cluster of stake‐holes and two medieval or post‐medieval field boundaries. The features identified during stage ii stripping at Areas A and B were interpreted as being non‐archaeological in stage iii work. There is no evidence to suggest the site extends beyond the current road take.
The excavation of this site has added greatly to the evidence previously recorded for prehistoric monuments in the area and following further post‐excavation analysis this will be integrated into the archaeological results from elsewhere on the scheme.

The specialists work carried out in association with Shanbally 6 will provide invaluable information on activities carried out on site, allow comparison to related sites and establish the date of the site. It is hoped that once the specialist analysis of soil/charcoal samples from the ring‐ditch will give us a better insight into the age of this feature and how it fits with other ring‐ditches in Ireland. It is anticipated that
the osteo‐archaeological examination of the cremated bone will determine a minimum number of individuals present, and where possible identify their sex, age and whether they display any pathologies. Analysis of the charcoal should yield information on the type of fuel burned and whether there are any plant remains were present which will help build a snapshot of the surrounding environment in Shanbally 6 at that time.