Discover Alone, back to main map

House

House, Bronze Age

What is recorded here

One of three houses was found in 2003 when the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass was being built. The circular dwelling measured 7.3m by 6.75m and had a shallow trench for a low wall, with six inner posts carrying the roof. Its east entrance used two large post-holes, one packed with a broken saddle quern, and a central post strengthened the middle. A date from one entrance post places the house between 1620 and 1440 cal. BC.
This is one of a group of three houses (see CO044-073010-, CO044-073-011-) which was excavated in 2003 in advance of the construction of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass. This circular house (7.3m N-S; 6.75m E-W) was defined by a shallow slot-trench (Wth c. 0.15m; D 0.15m). Inside and concentric with the slot-trench was a ring of six post-holes (av. diam. 0.25m; D 0.3m). According to the excavator, the slot-trench probably held a sill beam which supported a light outer wall of stakes and wattle, while the main structural support was provided by an internal ring of posts Cotter (2006c, 15). The E-facing entrance (Wth 0.7m) comprised two substantial post-holes (diam. 0.7m; D 0.31m) which formed the terminals of the slot-trench. A fragment of a saddle quern was used as a packing-stone for one of the post-holes. The other entrance post-hole of this house produced a radiocarbon date of 1620-1440 cal. BC (ibid., 24). Another post-hole, located centrally within this house, presumably held a post which provided additional support for the roof (ibid., 15). (Cotter 2006a, 34-5; 2006c) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

Places near here

Add to this placeAdd a picture Comment or add a tip

Explore 1,118,481 places