Habitation site

The National Monuments Service's description

A cluster of pits and a ditch were excavated (Licence no. 05E0644) in advance of a residential development. Three of the pits were interpreted as cess pits and were located in a line 7m-15m from each other. On average 1.8m deep the base of the pits consisted of organic silt. A wooden vessel with a lid was recovered form one of the pits. Lathe turned from a single piece of wood, it was radiocarbon dated to cal. AD 891-1013. Analysis of a basal sample from the same pit identified wild and cultivated species including plum seeds, blackberries, raspberries and hazelnuts. Animal bones recovered were identified as cow, sheep/goat, pig horse and dog. All the pits were backfilled once they had gone out of use and have been interpreted as probably having been located on the verges of settlement (McCarthy 2008, 29).

Compiled by: Christine Baker

Date of upload: 6 February 2015

References

McCarthy, C. 2008 Final Excavation report, Maynestown residential Development, St Margaret's Road, Poppintree, Dubin 11 (Licence no. 05E0644). Unpublished report. National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.