EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Cork
Skahanagh North, Co. Cork
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure
Grid Ref: V77518594 (177510/085940)
SMR No: CO 053-10
Excavation Licence: 03E1132
Excavation Duration/year: July - August 2003
Site Director: D. Murphy (ACS Ltd.)
Topsoil stripping in advance of road construction revealed a series of archaeological features
including a sixth/seventh century enclosure and a C-shaped structure. The levelled enclosure
was most likely of univallate construction and had an approximate internal diameter of 22m.
No evidence for an enclosing bank was identified during the excavation, but a curvilinear
section of the western portion of the ditch was excavated. This was U-shaped in profile
(maximum dimensions of 3.4m wide and 1.2m deep) with sloping sides and a flat base, and
had a 4.0m wide entrance at its northwest end.
This ditch contained four main fills. Charcoal from the basal fill produced a radiocarbon date
in the seventh century (see below); and a metal object was recovered from its top fill. A
stone deposit (2m in diameter and 0.2m in depth) was found within the top fill of the ditch at
the northwest end.
A C-shaped structure was situated to the southwest of the enclosure and was contemporary
with it. It was roughly contemporary though pre-dated by a number of internal pits, deposits
and features. The earliest features comprised two sub-circular charcoal-rich deposits
containing oxidized clay and seeds- mainly oats followed by barley. There was no evidence
for in situ burning and these deposits may represent the dumping of fire debris.
Two gullies, one hearth and a pit represented the next phase of activity pre-dating the C-
shaped structure. One curvilinear gully splaying outwards at its southward extent was
identified as a flue of a possible kiln. Cereal grains- primarily oats as well as wheat- were
found in its basal fill. A pit filled with fire-debris cut this feature and may have destroyed its
hearth.
A second gully or flue (0.5m by 2m and 0.2m in depth) truncated the first gully but did not
extend beyond it, so it is likely that these features were broadly contemporary and in use
together. Both gullies were cut by the C-shaped foundation trench. If indeed these features
were the flues of kilns, they were then out of use before the area was enclosed.
A sub-circular pit and a partially stone-lined hearth were roughly contemporary with the
gullies. The sub-circular pit (1.5m by 1.12m and 0.3m deep) contained charcoal, oxidized clay
and sandstone and was used to depose of fire-debris. The hearth (1.5m by 0.8m and 0.3m
deep) was also cut by the C-shaped trench and contained charcoal, burnt bone and cereal
grains, mainly oats followed by barley. Charcoal from its fill produced a date in the seventh to
ninth century range (see below). The C-shaped trench enclosed a space with a diameter of
7m by 9m internally and 10m by 10m externally. It is unclear if the structure was a roofed
dwelling though it instead may have been erected to act as a wind break shielding the
internal hearths and pits from the prevailing south-westerly winds. The location of an
entrance, 3.7m wide to the north-east facing the enclosure supports this interpretation.
Charcoal, burnt bone, carbonized wood and a large quantity of cereal grains (primarily oats,
barley and some wild plants) were recovered from its eight deposits were recovered, and a
radiocarbon date in the in the seventh to ninth century range (see below) was recorded from
the charcoal.
Roughly contemporary with the C-shaped foundation trench were two internal pits and two
pits to the southeast. The internal features comprised a pit containing a hearth and a
sequence of fire debris which cut the earlier gully and a sub-circular pit. Charcoal, oxidized
clay and a large quantity of cereal grains were recovered from the various deposits within the
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