Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). The S rectilinear annexe (int. dims c. 50m E-W; c. 15m N-S at E to c. 30m N-S at W) appears to have replaced the S curvilinear annex. At W the ditch was re-cut many times and had varying profiles from shallow and flat-bottomed (Wth c. 3m; D c. 0.5m) to wide and deep (Wth c. 5m; D 1m). Late in the sequence it was cut by a major N-S ditch that formed either a large rectangular annexe (dims c. 60m plus N-S; c. 25-30m E-W) or was part of a field system, which is more likely. The ditch of this system (Wth c. 2-3m; D 0.5-1m) was stratigraphically later than the S rectilinear annexe. On the S side the annexe ditch was also re-cut numerous times with its course often veering off the line of the original so that the profile is equally variable from narrow and shallow (Wth 1.5m; D 0.5m) to wide with up to three separate but relatively shallow bases (Wth 3.75m; D 0.7m). The ditch was rock-cut and was deeper at the E end. Fragments of an iron knife, a bone comb and a lignite bracelet were recovered from it. A stony deposit at the base of the first re-cut at one point was partially stone-faced and could have served as a wall, a path or a plinth for a bridge. Only a short section of the E edge (Wth c. 2.9m; D 1.05m) of the annex was available but four cuts were recorded in it and it is possible that an entrance from the outside was on this side. Structure 21 and Kiln 24 are within the annexe and could be related to its use. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 253-263)

See the attached plan (yellow) from McGlade (2020 vol. 1, p253)

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 3 May 2022

References

McGlade, S. 2020 Preliminary Excavation Report. Readsland, Dunshaughlin. Licences: 15E0125; 18R0174. Unpublished report, 2 vols archaeology plan