Ring-ditch

The National Monuments Service's description

Site was excavated by V.J. Keeley in 1995 under excavation licence no. 95E111. During archaeological monitoring conducted on the Portlaoise Bypass an extensive Iron Age complex and associated features were discovered in the townland of Ballydavis. A full-scale excavation followed during the period May-Nov. 1995. The site lay atop a low knoll (130 OD), some 4km north-east of Portlaoise town. The approximate area covered was 250m x 130m. The complex consisted of four ring-ditches, seven furnaces, and a series of pits and post-holes. The largest ring-ditch (Site 1) measured 16m in diameter. Its entrance faced due east and measured 3.2m in width. The ditch was substantial and measured up to 0.91m in depth with a maximum width of 2m at the terminals. The interior of the monument yielded a central burial deposit, consisting of a bronze box, cremated human bone and associated artefacts, including a bronze fibula, bronze wire and over 80 beads. The ditch yielded a significant amount of material, including an iron blade, iron nails, part of a bronze bracelet and a pin fragment. Evidence of metal-working was found in the form of iron slag and crucible fragments. The stratigraphic profile of the ditch indicated a series of well-defined phases of use. The layers containing the artefacts, charcoal and cremated bone were interspersed with sterile layers and slippage. There was one extensive area of burning, which indicated a fire of great intensity burning for a significant time shortly after the ditch was dug. This in situ burning, possibly of a ritual nature, was found opposite the entrance, covering around 33% of the base of the ditch. It was defined by oxidised clay and carbonised brushwood.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 17 December 2007