What is recorded here

Urn burial in Gortavehy East stands on a north-facing slope above the plain of Duhallow, where a plough broke an inverted urn resting on a narrow flagstone in 1936. The vessel measured eighteen inches high and twelve inches wide, a shape so unusual that later scholars doubted the account. Five small sherds survived to reveal encrusted bands, grooves and panelled ribs, while the slab still lies against a field fence at the south end.

In pasture, on N-facing slope, overlooking plain of Duhallow. In 1936, 'when ploughing for corn' (Broker 1937, 54), the landowner 'unearthed anancient urn which was broken by the plough....inverted on a flagstone very little wider than itself'; vessel described as '18 inches high and 12 inches wide'. Kavanagh (1973, 536) regards this as 'very unusual shape' for vessel of this type and doubts its accuracy. Slab (0.54m x 0.26m; Wth 0.07m) on which urn rested now lies on field fence at S end of field. Five small sherds of vessel now in National Museum, Dublin. Kavanagh (ibid.) dentifies them as part of an Encrusted Urn; internally, three bands and grooves extend 4cm below rim; externally, broad applied ribs create panelled effect; traces of perforation below decorative bands; body sherd slightly incised with alternating oblique strokes. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 3: Mid Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). 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 Gortavehy East is a Bronze Age inhumation or cremation burial, likely dating to between 2000 and 800 BCE. Its significance lies in providing evidence of early funerary practices and burial rites in the Duhallow region.

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