Midden in Burgagery-Lands West

Excavations in 1995 (Excavation Licence number 95E0211) at the rear of the properties fronting onto O'Connell St and running down to the riverfront revealed an extensive medieval organic deposit occurring at depths of between 2.5m and 4.7m below modern ground level (Henry 1996, 80). It had a high humic content, including a high content of plant remains, waste and refuse with remnants of food (ibid.). Other finds included a large amount of wood including twigs and small branches, an assortment of animal bone, fragments of oyster shell, occasional hazelnut shells, and several fragments of shoe and boot leather (ibid.). A total of 24 sherds of medieval pottery were found in the deposit. The deposit represents the archaeological remains of a dumping ground for waste and occupational refuse inside the line of the town wall and to the rear of the properties fronting the main medieval street (ibid.). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011