HOMES & SETTLEMENTS
CORK EXAMINER
Monday, December 02, 2013
10,000-year-old settlement unearthed in Cork
The earliest known settlers in Co Cork were hunter-gatherers who lived near Fermoy more than 10,100 years ago.
Monday, December 02, 2013
10,000-year-old settlement unearthed in Cork
The earliest known settlers in Co Cork were hunter-gatherers who lived near Fermoy more than 10,100 years ago.
By Sean O’Riordan
That’s according to archaeologists who will reveal a wealth of information about our ancestors when they launch a book published by the National Roads Authority on Dec 10 at UCC.
It details illustrated accounts of the 114 significant excavations undertaken in the county, revealing a wealth of previously unrecorded sites, each adding to our understanding of the story of Cork — going back to the county’s first known settlers, more than 500 generations ago.
While the 8,100BC settlement in Fermoy, uncovered during the construction of the M8, is deemed to be the oldest, evidence of similarly ancient hunter-gatherers was discovered near Ballincollig and Youghal.
NRA project archaeologist Ken Hanley, who edited the book, said a lakeside wooden hunting platform and an antler from a giant elk, which had been fashioned into a tool by humans, were found at the oldest known site at Corrin, Fermoy.
He said there was evidence that, around that time, part of a large forest in the area was burned down to make way for a settlement.
Houses built by Cork’s first farmers (c.3,900BC) were found near Ballincollig and Fermoy, while a substantial Bronze Age settlement was found near Rathcormac.
The most exceptional discovery was the Mitchelstown Face Cup, dating to the Bronze Age.
“This is the oldest known three-dimensional representation of a person ever discovered in Ireland,” said Mr Haney. “It was radio carbon-dated to 1,800BC. It is unique. It came as a complete surprise. It was a spectacular find.”
That’s according to archaeologists who will reveal a wealth of information about our ancestors when they launch a book published by the National Roads Authority on Dec 10 at UCC.
It details illustrated accounts of the 114 significant excavations undertaken in the county, revealing a wealth of previously unrecorded sites, each adding to our understanding of the story of Cork — going back to the county’s first known settlers, more than 500 generations ago.
While the 8,100BC settlement in Fermoy, uncovered during the construction of the M8, is deemed to be the oldest, evidence of similarly ancient hunter-gatherers was discovered near Ballincollig and Youghal.
NRA project archaeologist Ken Hanley, who edited the book, said a lakeside wooden hunting platform and an antler from a giant elk, which had been fashioned into a tool by humans, were found at the oldest known site at Corrin, Fermoy.
He said there was evidence that, around that time, part of a large forest in the area was burned down to make way for a settlement.
Houses built by Cork’s first farmers (c.3,900BC) were found near Ballincollig and Fermoy, while a substantial Bronze Age settlement was found near Rathcormac.
The most exceptional discovery was the Mitchelstown Face Cup, dating to the Bronze Age.
“This is the oldest known three-dimensional representation of a person ever discovered in Ireland,” said Mr Haney. “It was radio carbon-dated to 1,800BC. It is unique. It came as a complete surprise. It was a spectacular find.”
Have a look at Eachtra Journal Issue 10 Archaeological ExcavationReport E2410 Gortore 1b tofind out about other prehistoric finds.
http://www.blackwater.ie/
According to archeologist Peter Woodman, the majority of Mesolithic activity in Munster has come from the Blackwater Valley. Carbon dating of wodden platforms at Ballyoran Bog, just south of Fermoy were put at 8,280-7,965 B.C. At the time, the date was "problematic because it predates all known human activity in the area", however just a year later, an early Mesolithic (8,000 - 7,000 B.C.) site was discovered at Gortore, just north of Fermoy on the Funcheon River. Another early Mesolithic find, at Rathealy, is due to be published shortly. This establishes the Avondhu as one of the earliest areas to be settled in Ireland.
http://www.blackwater.ie/
According to archeologist Peter Woodman, the majority of Mesolithic activity in Munster has come from the Blackwater Valley. Carbon dating of wodden platforms at Ballyoran Bog, just south of Fermoy were put at 8,280-7,965 B.C. At the time, the date was "problematic because it predates all known human activity in the area", however just a year later, an early Mesolithic (8,000 - 7,000 B.C.) site was discovered at Gortore, just north of Fermoy on the Funcheon River. Another early Mesolithic find, at Rathealy, is due to be published shortly. This establishes the Avondhu as one of the earliest areas to be settled in Ireland.