Moated site in Attyflin

On the level summit of a low ridge (37m OD), in dry pasture. Identified as a moated site in the environmental impact statement for the proposed N20/N21 Road Improvement Scheme. Monument forms part of a wider earthwork complex which is recorded in the SMR collectively as a deserted medieval settlement (LI021-025001-). Not depicted on OS historic mapping. Monument tested (Licence No. 96E0380) in March 1997 by James Eogan and described as a rectangular-shaped area (80m N-S; 48m E-W) defined by a low, rounded bank with an entrance in the SE corner (Eogan 1997). A slightly raised, level, rectangular platform (approx. 23.5m N-S; 19.5m E-W) occupies the NW quadrant of the interior. Eogan (ibid), investigated the W side of the monument which was to be directly impacted by the road scheme. The W boundary of the enclosure was found to consist of a bank with an inner ditch and two outer ditches. The bank and inner ditch contained glazed pottery dating to 13th-14th century (ibid). In December 1997, Paul Logue undertook a second phase of test excavation (Licence No. 99E0477) to examine the interior of the enclosure and the enclosing elements on the W side (Logue 1998, 1). Test trench A (2m x 2m) was excavated in the SW corner and revealed nothing of archaeological significance. Test trench B (2m x 2m) was excavated off-centre to W and uncovered a shallow, roughly circular-shaped pit (1m E-W; 0.9m N-S; D 0.25m) which was filled with a redeposited natural. Trench C was excavated in the NW quadrant and revealed a U-shaped ditch (Wth 2-3m; D 0.8m) running N-S and which was partially cut into the underlying bedrock. The main fill contained much animal bone and overlay a fill which contained glazed medieval pottery sherds of probable 13th/14th-century date. The bank was associated with medieval potsherds and accompanied by a contemporary U-shaped outer ditch running E-W. The outer ditch (Wth 2m; D 0.44m) was to the N of the bank. This outer ditch cut the fills of the earlier U-shaped ditch. On the basis of the two assessment excavations, this site is most likely to be some form of enclosure dating to the medieval period. In 1999, the W side of the site was fully excavated (Licence No 96E0380 ext.) by James Eogan in advance of road construction. The enclosure was found to be a two-phase construction. The Phase 1 enclosure (85m N-S; 50m E-W) was surrounded by a ditch (Wth 1.5m-3m; D 0.6m) which was cut through the underlying limestone bedrock in places. The Phase 2 enclosure involved the filling of the N ditch and the digging of a ditch parallel to it, some 15m further to N again, thereby extending the internal area of the enclosure. A causewayed entrance (outer Wth 2m) was midway along the W side of the Phase 1 enclosure. The entrance (Wth 1.5m) narrowed on the interior and was defined by two pairs of substantial postholes. A line of smaller postholes extended E-W across the enclosure from the N side of this entrance. This indicates that the space within the interior was subdivided by a wooden fence. Within the enclosure there was a clear difference in the intensity of ancient activity. Relatively few features were found in the southern part, while in the northern half a series of large pits was uncovered. Four were quarry pits that were broader than they were deep and were filled with stones. It is thought that originally these pits were dug to extract clay for building purposes, the stony fill resulting from the sorting on site of the material dug out of the pit. Three rubbish pits were found. They are deeper than they are broad and contained organic-rich fills. Two of these pits cut one of the quarry pits. No clear evidence for structures was found within the enclosure, nor were any hearths uncovered, although a considerable amount of ash had been dumped into the northern ditch of the Phase 1 enclosure. Approximately 40m to N north of the main enclosure, a series of ditches was uncovered during topsoil-stripping. These represent at least two phases of enclosure of which there was no surface trace. The Phase 1 enclosure (35m N-S) had an entrance gap (Wth 2m) midway along its W side, which was flanked by a pair of postholes. The Phase 2 enclosure was roughly the same size as the earlier one, although the enclosing ditch was less substantial. A series of pits were found within these enclosures and on excavation two were proven to be quarry pits, one was a substantial rubbish pit and there were other less substantial pits, one of which contained more than 100 oyster shells (ibid). Most of the features uncovered contained sherds of glazed medieval pottery which was identified as a local Adare ware and imported ceramics were identified as Saintonge green-glazed ware (C. Sandes, pers. comm.). A number of whittle tang and plain tang iron knives were found, one of which retained part of its wooden handle. A small iron slash hook was also recovered from the excavations. A decorated copper-alloy stick-pin and a simple copper-alloy ring brooch were found in one of the rubbish pits (ibid). A single-edged composite bone comb was found in the backfill of the Phase 1 enclosure ditch. These finds all suggest a date in the 13th-14th century for the occupation on this site. Monument is not visible on Digital Globe orthophotos taken 2011-13 or on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018. See attached Google Earth orthoimage. Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 6 August 2020