EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Cork
Twelfth century bone-working is indicated by a range of artefacts including cut bone hollow
cylinders from Hanover Street (Cleary 2003, 38) and Washington Street (Kelleher 2002 &
forthcoming) and bone combs from 11-13 Washington Street (Cleary & Hurley 2003, 335)
and 40-48 South Main Street/Old Post Office Lane (Ní Loingsigh 2003). A fragment of
modified antler tine was also recovered from a later twelfth century layer inside the sill-beam
house at Hanover Street (Cleary & Hurley 2003, 344).
Leather shoe fragments from Hanover Street (Cleary & Hurley 2003, 365) and 40-48 South
Main Street (Ní Loingsigh 2005) confirm twelfth century leather-working at Cork.
INDUSTRY
A complete copper-alloy balance arm and a pair of scale pans were found close together in a
later twelfth century layer of brushwood inside the sill-beam house at Hanover Street (Cleary
2003, 38) and could indicate that it was the home of a merchant. A scale balance and pans
were also recovered at 40-48 South Main Street (Ní Loingsigh 2005). Whetstones from
Hanover Street (Cleary 2003, 38) and 40-48 South Main Street (Ní Loingsigh 2005) indicate
the sharpening of metal artefacts in twelfth century Cork. The iron and metal-working
evidence from Cork dates from the late twelfth century though crucible fragments were
recovered from twelfth century house levels at 40-48 South Main Street (Ní Loingsigh 2005).
Hazelnut shells were recovered from deposits at Barrack Street, 11-13 Washington Street and
Hanover Street and indicate that they were being gathered for consumption inside the town.
A variety of fruits- blackberry, bramble, elder, raspberry, crab-apple were also recorded in
deposits at Hanover Street and 11-13 Washington Street (Cleary & Hurley 2004, 393). Oat,
wheat and barley grains were also identified within the fill of the ditch at Washington Street.
Fishing is indicated by a fish hook from a later twelfth century brushwood and straw level at
Hanover Street as well as a net sinker and a fishing line weight from 40-48 South Main Street
(Ní Loingsigh 2003). A whalebone was discovered at a site at the junction of Washington and
South Main Street (Kelleher 2002) and was interpreted as a possible chopping board.
Twelfth century animal and fish bone are represented at a number of sites including Barrack
Street, Tuckey Street, Hanover Street (Cleary & Hurley 2003, 375), Washington street/South
Main Street (Kelleher 2002 & forthcoming) and 40-48 South Main Street (Ní Loingsigh 2003 &
2005). The animal bone from 40-48 South Main Street was more diverse from contemporary
faunal assemblages from Ireland and contained venison, veal and lamb, as well as a range of
fish and bird species e.g. a sturgeon scale and some white-tailed eagle bones.
Various recreational and personal artefacts have been recovered such as bronze metal stick
pins and a gaming piece from Washington/South Main Street (Kelleher 2002), seventh/eighth
century baluster headed pin from Grattan Street (Lennon 2003, 63), metal stick-pins from
Washington street/South Main Street (Kelleher 2002 & forthcoming), barrel padlock key from
the junction of South Main Street and the modern quay wall (Ní Loingsigh 2003) and barrel
padlock and keys and stick-pins from 40-48 South Main Street (Ní Loingsigh 2003).
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