Urn burial in Ballagharea

Discovered in 1960 during gravel quarrying operations; extensive damage occured before investigation by O'Kelly and Murphy (1961). Pit (diam. c. 0.74m) contained inverted Encrusted Urn covering cremated bones of young adult; excavator suggests bones wrapped in organic material. Pit backfilled with loose sandy soil. Kavanagh 1973, 535) describes urn as having 'rim flattened, bevelled internally...decorated with finger-nail impressions; externally urn decorated...with closely set scored vertical lines; two perforations in...neck area; joint between neck and body carries applied discs; below neck are...two cordons...upper applied, other pinched up; grooves created by cordons ornamented with...obliquely set scores; below this are vertical grooves giving ribbed effect; next zone filled with...wide incised chevron pattern; lowerpart of urn carries long shallow grooves set obliquely; made of coarse...well-fired...bright orange ware'. (Kavanagh 1973, 535); Waddell 1990, 58; Doody 1986, Cork No. 4). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Urn burial in Ballagharea is a Bronze Age cremation burial, dating to approximately 2000–1500 BCE. Its significance lies in providing evidence of early funerary practices and urn typology in the region.