Excavation

Situated on a level landscape c. 200m SW of the tower house (ME049-002001-). Archaeological testing (06E1231) by A. Collins (2008, 18-19) in advance of a realignment of the R158 road identified archaeological deposits that were subsequently excavated (07E0295) as Site 11 by E. Larsson (excavations.ie 2007:1314). A large number of features, mostly pits and ditches and a possible wooden structure dating to the high medieval period c. 1250-1400 AD were recorded. Two large pits functioned as water-holes and one was connected with numerous gullies. (Larsson 2009) A large pit (dims 3.5m x 2.2m; max. D 1.85m) had ten fills of heavy clays, sands and redeposited boulder clay. It may have had a deliberately-applied clay lining, and a sample from near the base produced a C14 determination of 1260-1390 cal. AD. Forty three sherds of pottery including Leinster Cooking ware, Dublin and Trim-type coarse and fine wares were recovered. The pit was truncated at SW by a gully (L 2.1m; max. Wth 1.02m; max. D 0.3m) with slag in its fills that led into it. A second large pit (diam. 3.5m; max. D 1.6m) that was re-cut once was 13m to the S. The original cut had five fills, including the primary heavy clay that might have been intended as a lining. The re-cut pit (dims 3m x 2.1m; D 0.6m) had four fills of sandy or silty clays that were less productive of animal bones but the usual range of ceramic and metal finds was present. A number of pits and gullies connected with each other and with the water-holes. Stratigraphic relationships can be established between many of them but they all produce the same range of ceramics and artefacts as the two water-holes. However, no pattern can be discerned, and only two hearths are identified. A structure (dims 8m plus N-S; 8m plus E-W) is defined by narrow, disconnected slot-trenches on the N and W sides but it extends outside the excavated area to the E and S. There were numerous post-holes and pits within, and a large quantity of carbonised grain was recovered from the slot-trenches so it may have functioned as a granary. A sample produced a C14 determination of 1280-1400 cal. AD. (ibid. 31-2) The features represent agricultural activities in the main but the persistence of slag throughout the area suggests that metal-working was conducted in the vicinity. The excavated area is probably on the periphery of a settlement that lay further E. In total over 1000 sherds of 12th – 14th century local wares were recovered as well as iron nails, iron tools, a stick-pin and a folded Edward I penny. See the attached plan from Larsson (2009, fig. 9) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 29 June 2021