House — Neolithic in Pepperhill

Discovered in 1986 during construction of Bruff-Mallow gas pipeline (Gowen 1988, 44-51; site 1/19/2). Excavated area (6.5m x 4m) revealed linear trench (long axis N-S), with several post-holes on W (inner) side, and two shallow pits/hollows on E side; along E edge of excavated area was 'a probably unrelated' (ibid., 44) linear fosse. Linear trench (L 3.4m N-S; Wth 0.3-0.5m; max. D 0.45m), with short possible continuation at right angles to W at N end, may have formed NE corner of rectangular structure; yellow clay fill with patches of oxidised clay and overlying dark fill with charcoal, indicated that structure was probably clay-daubed and destroyed by fire. Four substantial pits/post-holes to W of trench also appeared to have been associated. Finds from trench and post-holes included 22 sherds and 40 fragments of 'Western Neolithic round-bottomed shouldered bowls' (ibid., 50) from up to six pots, five struck blades and many other fragments of flint, charred hazelnut and grain fragments. Radiocarbon determination of 4860±70 BP obtained from house trench (pers. comm. M. Gowen). 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