Flat cemetery in Ballyenahan North

On gravel ridge, on E bank of Funshion River. Discovered in 1949 during gravel quarrying operations. Probable total of seventeen graves found, of which six investigated by Fahy (1954, 42-49, listed as graves A to F). Grave A: rectangular cist (0.88m x 0.39m; D 0.57m; long axis E-W); sandstone side slabs supporting capstone of limestone; contained disturbed cremation of young adult, probably female, mingled with 16 bronze rivets. Grave B: undisturbed polygonal cist (0.87m x 0.6m; D 0.5m; long axis N-S); packstones used atop side slabs to take limestone capstone; cremated bones of two children, 4 and 8-10 years of age, heaped on limestone basal slab. Two large boulders placed over capstone. Grave C: rectangular cist (0.95m x 0.52m; D 0.55m; long axis E-W); capstone and E sidestone removed; remaining sides and base made of sandstone slabs. Contained crouched inhumation of robust adult male, 25-50 years of age; one sherd of Food Vessel survived disturbance. Grave D: largely destroyed short cist; covering slab survived; also quantity of undiagnostic cremated bone. Grave E: pit burial (D 2.4m; diam. 2.4m) containing inhumation of tall adult male covered with boulders; rest of pit back-filled with gravel; skeleton accompanied by bronze dagger. Grave F: oval pit (0.85m x 0.55m; D 0.55m; long axis N-S) containing cremated bones of child, 2-7 years of age, deposited at deeper S end of pit; inverted Food Vessel Bowl at N end. Bowl described as tripartite, decorated with plain ribs alternating with zig-zag bands in false relief; tripartite division defined by body ridges decorated with tooth comb impressions; two vertical stops applied over false relief (ibid., 43-5). Exact findspot of a Food Vessel Vase found within cemetery unknown; this is biconical, with everted-rim; decorated with hatched triangles, herringbone bands and parallel cord-impressed lines above and below shoulder and at base (ibid., 45). (Waddell 1990, 58-9; Doody 1986, Cork No. 8). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

A Neolithic flat cemetery, dating to the 4th to 3rd millennia BCE, significant as an early example of organized burial practices in the region. The site provides insights into prehistoric settlement and funerary customs in the Funshion River area.