Kiln - corn-drying

The National Monuments Service's description

Excavated in 1999 in advance of the development of an industrial and retail complex on Little Island in Cork harbour. A linear stone-lined feature (L 3.54m; Wth 0.63m; D. 0.4m), uncovered in an extensive area of burning, was interpreted by the excavator (McCarthy 2004a, 60) as a probable kiln flue. The SW end of this feature cut a subrectangular pit (0.76m N-S; 0.48m E-W; D 0.56m) with sloping sides and a rounded base. This pit contained sand with charcoal, small stones and pebbles. A second pit (L 0.95m; 0.22m) found c. 0.2m S of the linear feature was linear with steep sides and a flat base and it was filled with charcoal-flecked sand, heat-shattered stones and ash. A similar feature (CO075-086----), an early medieval possible corn-drying kiln (CO075-084----) and a Bronze Age fulacht fia (CO075-082----) were also excavated in the immediate vicinity. (McCarthy 2000, 25; 2004a, 51-66)

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009).

Date of upload: 22 December 2009