Shell Mound

On E Side of Brown Island, in estuary to N of Great Island. Heavily overgrown, extent of midden not determined; mainly oyster shells visible. Schlichting (1973, 16-17) records 'a bank piled along edge of boulder clay knoll' measuring '130 feet long' and '2 to 4 feet thick'; midden contains majority of oyster shells as well as fragments of mussels, periwinkle, land snail, cockle and fire shattered stones. A radio-carbon determination of 300 +/- 50 bp (calibrated date range 1470 – 1690 AD) was recovered from oyster shell at this midden (Laboratory: Beta 161650) (Milner & Woodman 2007, 103). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In this instance the entry has been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Paul Walsh Date of revision: 25 June 2012