MR Maurice Hurley is the Cork city archaeologist and he has just published a book on an important archaeological dig. Starting in June 1994, a team of archaeologists under the supervision of City Hall, began to unearth and record valuable evidence of life in 13th century Cork.
The dig took place in North Main Street, part of the old quarter of Cork, and it quickly became apparent that a treasure trove was about to reveal itself. An old water wheel was discovered - the first occasion on which something like this had been found within the walls of old Cork. The walls themselves were part of the discovery as well.
According to Mr Hurley, whose book documents the finds the dig showed that in this part of the Anglo/Norman city, industrial activity was intense. Evidence was found of a bread oven; a corn drying kiln; and many metal artefacts, proving that metal work was carried on extensively within the old walls. Eventually, a water-powered forge was discovered, giving further proof of this.