What is recorded here

Excavation exposed a small circular pit near Rathcormac in 2003, filling its bottom with burnt stone and charcoal dated to 3510-3020 cal. BC. It lay only 3.5m from a fulacht fia, suggesting people may have heated water or food there before dropping the spent stones into the pit. A modern water pipe later cut through its south edge, reminding that even ancient margins must make room for new roads and pipes.

This pit was excavated in 2003 in advance of the construction of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass. The pit (diam. 1.1m; D 0.36m) was subcircular in plan and was cut at the S by a modern water pipe. The pit contained two fills that each comprised quantities of burnt stone and charcoal. Charcoal from the primary fill has been dated to 3510-3020 cal. BC (O'Connell 2006i, 75). The final fill of the trough was overlain by material from a fulacht fia (CO035-131----), situated c. 3.5m to the N. According to the excavator (ibid.), the function of this pit is somewhat enigmatic, however the presence of burnt and fire-cracked stones within both fills is an indication that it may have employed a similar function to a burnt mound trough. (O'Connell 2006i) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009

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