Fulacht fia in Ballinaspig More

A spread (11.72m E-W; 8.59m N-S; D 1.47m) of heat-shattered stones and charcoal-enriched soil was discovered during archaeological monitoring in advance of the construction of the N22 Ballincollig Bypass and was excavated in 2002. Excavation revealed at least three phases of activity and possibly two distinct fulachtaí fia. The first and earliest phase was represented by a sub-oval trough and a series of stake-holes. The heat-shattered stones and charcoal-enriched soil generated by this fulacht fia was used to cover these features and it in turn was sealed by a spread of re-deposited natural clay much of which seemed to have been derived from the construction of a second trough to the NE of the first. Stake-holes, probably representing the remains of a structure, were found to the E and W of the second trough. A third trough lay directly S of the second and truncated its S end. It was the largest (2.51m N-S; 1.26m E-W) of the three troughs and also had stake-holes both E and W of it, again probably representing the remains of a structure. A drainage feature associated with this trough may have served as an additional means of getting water into the trough. The earliest phase of this fulacht fia has produced a radiocarbon date of 2800-2500 BC which places it in the Late Neolithic period (NRA website). Another fulacht fia (CO073-111----) lies c. 70m to the NW. A Bronze Age building (CO073-114----) and numerous miscellaneous excavated features (CO073-117----) lie c. 180m to the SSE. (Danaher 2004k, 56) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009