Excavation — miscellaneous in Rath-Healy

Archaeological testing in 2002 and subsequent excavation in 2003 was carried out in advance of construction along the route of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass. Excavation revealed a segmented ditch-like feature, two shallow bowl hearths, stake- and post-holes, thirteen pits and numerous bowl-shaped pits. The ditch feature (L c. 200m; D c. 0.5m; Wth c. 0.6m) had steep sides and a flat base and tended to weave from side to side along a general N-S axis. It was divided into five sections with offset gaps of c. 0.5m in between. One such gap was identified as the entrance, the ditch terminals being offset with a gap of c. 2m between them. No independent dating for the segmented ditch was obtained but, according to the excavator (Linnane 2006, 44), its form would suggest a prehistoric context and in addition, slag from its fill would indicate a Bronze Age date at the earliest. All of the thirteen pits contained significant quantities of heat-fractured stone. One of the pits was radiocarbon dated to 1910 cal. BC while one of the post-holes produced a date of 1000 cal. BC. In addition, two shallow bowl hearths produced a radiocarbon date of AD 530 cal. Finds from the excavation included four flint flakes and possible rubbing and whetstones. One of the pits contained a stone spindle whorl. Two drying kilns (CO035-137----; CO035-138----) were situated within the area to the E of the ditch. (O'Connell and Linnane 2006, 72; Linnane 2005; 2006) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009