Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

This monument was partially excavated (Licence no. 04E1604) in advance of development. A multi-period site, this circular enclosure (c. 28m diam.) truncated the E end of an earlier rectangular enclosure (DU012—094002-). The ditch varies in width between 5.5-6.2m in width and up to 1.9m in depth with a total of twenty-six fills. A rich organic deposit was identified throughout the entire ditch which included fragments of wood such as barrel hoops, a possible barrel stave and sharpened stakes. A probable bridge consisting of four large postholes was identified directly in line with a metalled surface. Two radiocarbon dates were recovered from the base of the enclosure ditch. An apple sample attained a date of 1010 +/- 34 AD while an oak sample attained a date of 509 +/- 31 AD. A discrepancy of 500 years has been ascribed to ‘old wood’ effect (Halliday 2008, 23). The E quadrant of the site was preserved in situ within open space.

Compiled by: Christine Baker

Date of upload: 5 February 2015

References

Halliday, S. 2008 Final excavation report, ‘Site A', Mountgorry, Drinan, Swords Co. Dublin (Licence no. 04E1604). Unpublished report. National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.