Excavation — miscellaneous in Licklash

Discovered in 2002 during archaeological testing in advance of the construction of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass. Topsoil-stripping exposed two areas of archaeological potential, Trenches 1 and 2. Trench 1 produced seven cut features which included shallow pits and a truncated linear feature. Two of the features produced pottery of a possible Middle Bronze Age date. The adjacent Trench 2 produced 60 features, including shallow pits, stake-holes, post-holes and large pits with charcoal spreads and evidence of burning. The post-holes and pits were randomly positioned and did not appear to form part of any structure. One large pit contained numerous flint and chert artefacts that appeared to have been discarded. According to the excavator (Quinn 2006e, 50), it is likely that knapping took place on or near to this location. The presence of a possible hearth and a small possible windbreak may also be indicative of a work area, although no lithic material was recovered from the immediate vicinity. Quinn (ibid., 51) concludes that the overall evidence would appear to represent a small-scale flint/chert knapping site which dates to the Middle Bronze age. (Quinn 2006c; Murphy 2007) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009