Fulacht fia in Meenane

This fulacht fia was identified during archaeological monitoring of topsoil stripping on the N8 Glanmire-Watergrasshill Bypass and was excavated in 2001. A thin spread (diam. 14m) of heat-shattered stones and charcoal-enriched soil was encountered just below the topsoil and beneath it were the remains of an unlined roughly oval trough (L 3m; Wth 2.5m; D 0.54m). The trough, which contained charcoal-rich material and burnt stones, also had a large number of stake-holes within and around it. Some of the stake-holes may have held in place a plank or wattle lining for the trough though no evidence of this lining was apparent. A stone (0.54m x 0.33m x 0.7m) which was found at the W edge of the base of the trough may also have been incorporated into some form of lining. Other stake-holes which were located to the NE of the trough were interpreted as evidence of a light structure such as a windbreak, the large number of stake-holes indicating that the structure may have been removed and re-erected on numerous occasions. The fulacht fia was radiocarbon dated to the Late Bronze Age (cal. BC 1369-1047 (2 sigma) (GrA-24200)). A large irregular pit (L 2.5m; max. D 0.54m), which was found to the NE of the trough, produced one piece of struck flint. As there was no stratigraphic link between the pit and the trough, however, it was not possible to establish a relationship between the two. (Halpin 2003a, 48; 2004b) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009