Metalworking site

The National Monuments Service's description

This metalworking site was excavated (92E0120) over two seasons in 1992 and 1993 (Grant and Longhran, 1993; 1994). It consists of a small circular enclosure (int. diam. 4.2m) defined by an earthen bank faced internal and external with large stones, and enclosed by a fosse. The bank incorporated several layers of ash and burnt earth, which appeared to be redeposited material from the interior. In the centre of the interior, there was a deposit of charcoal and heavily compacted baked clay. Several pits were uncovered, two of which contained charcoal and iron slag. A stone-based trench, of unknown function, extended for c. 8m from interior at E though a small gap in the bank at N then turned sharply to extend westward along the exterior of the bank. A large quantity of iron slag was found throughout the interior. The recovery of furnace bottoms suggested the presence of a furnace on site but no definite evidence of this structure was found. The excavators interpreted the site as an ironworking site, with evidence indicative of both smithing and smelting activities, and the structure may have been built primarily for that function (Grant, pers. comm. 2011). Samples for radiocarbon analysis produced dates of 1024+/- 30 AD and 1054 +\- 20 AD (Grant, pers. comm. 2011). The site is extant as it was only partially excavated. The excavated areas were reinstated.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload:26 February 2015

References

Grant, C. and Loughran, A. 1993 Glenbaun Enclosure. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1992: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Bray, 47-8, no. 144. Bray, Wordwell Ltd.

Grant, C. and Loughran, A. 1994 Glenbaun Small enclosure. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1993: Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Bray, 61, no. 175. Bray, Wordwell Ltd.