Earlier this year, excavations on two
sections of the N73 between the historic towns of Mallow and Mitchelstown in
the north of Co. Cork have revealed a rich picture of how the landscape was
used through the centuries.
The works
were concluded by a team from TVAS Ireland Ltd on behalf of Cork County Council
and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, exploring a route that dates back
centuries, having evolved from a much smaller pedestrian and wagon path. Although
the project’s eight excavations were confined to the width of the road-widening
sections, finds have been diverse.
At Clenor South, natural sinkholes were discovered with Middle Neolithic impressed ware pottery and flint tools deliberately buried within them. Credit: Transport Infrastructure Ireland
One of the
most impressive discoveries was a series of pits and post-holes in the townland
of Shanagh – the footprint of a Neolithic house. Small finds from inside and
around the dwelling included charcoal, threshed wheat, hazelnut shells, and
sherds from at least eight carinated bowls, which represent the earliest type
of Neolithic pottery found in Ireland. A quartzite rubbing stone and waste flakes
from flint-knapping were also found, suggesting that tool-making was practised
on the site, while radiocarbon dating indicated that occupation probably took
place between 3796 BC and 3640 BC.
More
Neolithic activity was uncovered at two other sites along the route. One was a series of natural sinkholes
at Clenor South, which appear to have had Middle Neolithic impressed ware pottery
and flint tools deliberately buried within them. The other, at Waterdyke,
included an isolated post-hole with more Middle Neolithic pottery found within
it. Nearby was a small arc of post-holes with flint buried within them, as well
as a cremation pit containing the remains of an adult, possibly a woman.
Radiocarbon dating from an acorn shell and part of the cremated remains
suggests that this site was in use between 2859 BC and 2475 BC. In all, between
these sites and the earlier house, it appears that this area was in continual
use over the course of the Neolithic period.
Other finds from the
project included, from Clenor South, a possible late Bronze Age or early Iron
Age ring-barrow cemetery, a late medieval enclosure encompassing 17th-century building
foundations, and an early modern rural smithy and associated workshop.