Enclosure in Raystown

The extended burial ground and N habitation area were transformed in Phase 3 by being enclosed within a D-shaped enclosure (dims c. 60m N-S; c. 60m E-W) defined by a single ditch (Wth 2.3m; D 1m). At SE this ditch connects with a major NW-SE boundary ditch and many lesser gullies that had originated at this point on the outer enclosure ditch of the burial ground, although at S the new fosse veers N of the older fosse. A narrow opening in the E run of this fosse is more like a gap between two sections of the fosse than a designed entrance. There was a lot of burnt grain and kiln waste in this ditch and grain from its basal fill and animal bone from the topmost layers produce almost identical dates of 650-780 cal. AD and 650-810 cal. AD respectively, indicating a short period of use. A stone-built Man-made underground passage (ME045-036036-) snuggling against the earth-cut one is almost the only feature that can be directly associated with this enclosure. (Seaver 2009, vol. 1, 34, 57-61) See the attached plan from Seaver (2009, vol. 2) _1 Phase 3 (fig. 23) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 20 December 2021

A local fairy fort (ringfort/rath); wider significance not recorded.