Habitation site in Ballydowny

Discovered during archaeological excavations in advance of the construction of a housing development in 2002 (Kiely 2004c, 218-9). A trench (6m x 3m) contained four burnt layers, the largest of which measured 1.4m by 1.6m. It included fragments of charcoal, slag, burnt bone and six end scrapers. A calibrated radiocarbon date from the Early Bronze Age (2030-1870 BC) was obtained. A concentration of thirty-five circular steep-sided round-bottomed stake-holes, some of which contained end scrapers and flint debitage, was also excavated within the trench and the excavator concluded that these may have formed a number of screens or windbreaks. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011