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