EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Cork
Raheens II, Co. Cork
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure
Grid Ref: W76366348 (176361/063481)
SMR No: CO087-046
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: June-November 1989
Site Director: A.M. Lennon (University College Cork)
Raheens II was situated 400m southwest of Raheens II and was excavated in advance of an
industrial development. The excavation revealed a univallate enclosure containing at least
eleven structures and three souterrains. The site was visible prior to excavation but appears
to have been levelled and extensively ploughed out more recently.
The enclosure had a diameter of 28m and was enclosed by a much denuded bank. This bank
averaged less than 0.6m in height and as a result of the levelling of the site did not survive
on the northern and western sides of the enclosure. The ditch was U-shaped with a relatively
flat base and measured 2.1m deep and 4.3m wide at the surface. The main ditch fill
constituted a single phase of backfilling. The entrance was located along the southwest
perimeter and was defined by two re-cut post positions, set 1.0m apart which may have
functioned as upright supports for a gate. A metalled surface extended northwards from the
post positions towards the interior of the site.
A total of eleven structures, some almost complete and others with sections surviving, were
uncovered in the interior of the site (Fig. 80). In all cases, a trench (0.2m-0.3m in width, and
0.1m-0.2m in depth) was excavated which would have supported the posts/stakes of the
structures walls. Seven of the eleven structures had evidence for post and stakeholes within
the trenches though they were for the most part irregularly spaced out and not consistent
throughout the entire length of the construction trenches. All the structures were circular
except for one sub-rectangular example. The sub-rectangular structure (4.6m by 6.5m), as
well as six other circular structures (4.5m-5.6m), was suitably large in diameter to have
functioned as domestic dwellings. Four other structures were smaller in diameter (2.4m-
3.5m) and may have been used as outhouses or storage buildings.
A burnt layer containing charred hazel twigs, oak charcoal fragments and burnt hazel nut
shells as well as several fragments of a shale bracelet partially covered one of the structures
and may have resulted from the destruction of its roof or side walls. No evidence of hearths
or fire settings was found in association with the structures. The structures were not all
contemporary with each other, and appeared to pre-date the souterrains which belonged to
the later activity on the site.
Two of these souterrains were excavated and a further one surveyed. Souterrain 1 was
situated towards the southern area of the interior and consisted of a single chamber built
using vertically and horizontally-laid limestone slabs. A substantial posthole, circular in outline
was identified at the base of the souterrain and may have been used as a structural support
during the erection of the structure. The roof of the souterrain appears to have been
subsequently removed and the structure backfilled with occupation debris containing rubble,
animal bone and charcoal.
Souterrain 2 was situated on the northern side of the enclosure and contained a long narrow
entrance running from a single chamber into the eastern side of the interior. The possible
remains of an uncompleted souterrain (3) were identified in the north-west area of the
interior. A large construction trench was excavated but appears to have been subsequently
backfilled. There was no evidence to suggest that the souterrain was earth-cut and that the
roof had collapsed. The backfill of the feature consisted of occupation debris, animal bone
(sheep and cattle), shellfish (oyster, whelk and periwinkle), fish bone and charcoal. A
polished stone bead was recovered from the up-cast material of one of the souterrains on
site.
159