Excavation

Three pits which were cut into the boulder clay were discovered during monitoring along the N22 Ballincollig Bypass. Two of the pits were c. 2m apart while the third was c. 9m to the W. The two pits in close proximity to each other were very similar in form and fill. The larger (0.97m x 0.73m; D 0.33m) of the two contained a charcoal-stained and heat-shattered stone fill. Other inclusions in the fill consisted of a moderate amount of charcoal flecks and occasional fragments of burnt bone. The second pit (0.6m x 0.4m; D 0.1m) was subcircular in plan and was orientated N-S. The third pit (0.6m x 0.4m; D 0.1m) was elliptical in plan and was also orientated N-S. It contained a loose, dark brown, clayey silt with occasional charcoal flecks. Sherds of prehistoric pottery, flint and chert debitage and a stone axe were found in the fill. According to the excavator (Danaher 2004e, 64), this feature appeared to be the basal remains of a pit, with the upper portions having been truncated before development works. (Danaher 2004e, 64; 2004l) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009