Excavation — miscellaneous in Skahanagh North

Discovered in 2002 and subsequently excavated in 2003 in advance of the construction of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass. Excavation revealed five pits, a stake-hole and an area of oxidised clay. The pits, which all contained charcoal, were roughly circular in shape (diam. 0.15-0.36m; D 0.08-0.15m). Two of the pits contained oxidised clay suggesting they may have functioned as hearths. A stake-hole (diam. 0.12m; D 0.8m) was discovered beside the pits and may have been associated with them. An isolated, burnt spread (diam. 1m; D 0.07m), which was circular in plan and consisted of charcoal and oxidised clay, was recorded to the S of a boundary fosse (CO053-112----) in the NW area of the site. Poorly preserved pieces of oxidised clay, which appeared to have been fired rather than subjected to burning, were found close to this spread. Charcoal extracted from the burnt spread was identified as oak and produced a radiocarbon date of 800-400 cal. BC. According to the excavator, it is probable that the spread, its associated pits and stake-hole are the remains of a temporary Iron Age settlement site and also suggests that the poorly fired clay may hint at a domestic function or pottery production at the site. (Murphy 2006e, 76; 2006j) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009