Excavation — miscellaneous in Foaty

On Fota Island, in former parkland, extensive area of archaeological remains partially excavated under salvage conditions in advance of golf-course development. Around 5% of total area properly investigated, centred on Fuchsia Hill; analysis of finds, C14 samples, in progress. Area 1: c. 100m W of power station. Ovoid structure (8m E-W; 5.5m N-S), defined by 10 post positions, 1 central post hole, re-cut; entrance to E, flanked by slots for probable porch. Hearth (L c. 1m) just NE of structure. Comparable to Bronze Age mortuary house at Ballyveelish (Doody 1987, 8-21). Area 2: c. 50m NE of (1); enigmatic spread of lightly fire-cracked stones, 80m sq., set into clean sand in slight hollow, overlying topsoil blackened. Area 3: On lower W slopes Fuchsia Hill, 3 small firepits, in area prospective artificial lake. Two pits c. 3m apart; one, re-cut, 25m to NE. Unable to investigate surrounding area. Area 4: 90m to W of power station. Large pit (L 6.4m; Wth 3.75m; D 0.86m) with deeper central area (Wth 2.5m; D 0.68m). Large pit had 2 successive clay linings. Post hole at one side dug through 1st lining, post abutted by 2nd lining; area of opposing side pit not excavated. Just to NE were 3 small firepits (diams. c. 1.25m; D c. 0.4m) with shallow 'flues' radial to large pit to SW, containing late Neolithic/ early Bronze Age (LNEBA) pottery; concentrations of fire-shattered stones. Three shallow pits SW of larger pit; largest produced sherds of round-bottomed LNEBA mortuary vessel, flint blade; possibly re-interred cremation. Above clay seal, hetstones in upper deposit. C. 6m S of large pit, 4 small pits in square, stone-packed, each contained 1 water-rolled quartz pebble. Area 5: C. 110m S of (4), c. 60m S of (1), under destroyed bank. Two large spreads of charcoal-rich loam over hearth, 3 inter-cutting post holes (Wth 0.5m; D 0.5m). Single post hole to N destroyed before excavation; land between (1) and (5) now listed by OPW. Area 6: NW of areas (1) and (2), one shallow post hole, charcoal spread observed but not cleaned. Area 7: c. 120 S of (3), 30m length of stone wall containing roofing slate, not shown on 1842 map. Area 9: 150m W of (6), early post Medieval pit containing late Medieval jug, cutting possible butt end shallow ditch; medieval wall remnant 32m to NE terminates at re-cut post hole, presumably for gate; these and other features suggest presence field enclosures pre-emparkment for Fota House (CO075-047---). Complex to N includes shallow linear cut feature, underlying post holes belonging to an area 6m x 6m to NE, comprising 40 stake holes and 20 pits/post holes, some re-cut; one contained prehistoric pottery. Overlain by drystone revetted bank (Wth c. 2.5m) on approx. same line as early cut feature; two post medieval drains then cut to either sideof bank. Bank subsequently levelled, material pushed over top of side ditches contains prehistoric pottery. (Rutter and O'Connell, 1992). See Excavations 1992, 7. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009