EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Cork
Garryduff I & II, Garryduff, Co. Cork
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure
Grid Ref: W92518633 (192515/086332)
SMR No: CO055-001; CO055-002
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: Summer 1945; Summer 1947
Site Director: M.J. O’Kelly (University College Cork)
Garryduff I and Garryduff II were two univallate enclosures excavated by staff from
University College Cork during the summers of 1945 and 1947. Garryduff I (maximum
diameter of 20m) was situated at the highest point of the eastern end of a prominent hill
side knoll (162m OD), 165m upslope from Garryduff I (142m OD) and commanding
considerable views to the north over the valleys of the River Blackwater and Bride. It was a
significant enclosed settlement with two phases of early medieval occupation. In contrast,
Garryduff II revealed no settlement evidence and no finds, except for a few charcoal spreads.
It was interpreted as a possible cattle enclosure associated with Garryduff I.
The enclosure banks of Garryduff I consisted of an outer and inner stone facing with a rubble
core built upon an annular platform of broken rock quarried from the external ditch. These
banks survived to a maximum of 6.5m thick and 1.37m high, and appear to have been
constructed and repaired in two separate phases associated with the two periods of
occupation (Fig. 71).
The eastern entrance of Garryduff I consisted of a stone-lined entrance passage and an
external uncut causeway of rock (3.35m-4.90m wide). A series of postholes and trenches
within the entrance passage were interpreted as forming the remains of a wooden palisade
and a possible gate-tower. The only feature of note at Garryduff II consisted of an unusual
entranceway, with postholes suggesting a gated palisade filling the gap between the ends of
its stone-built banks.
The external rock-cut ditch of Garryduff I was wide (5.3m) but rather shallow (0.45-1.8m
deep). It appears to have operated more as a quarry ditch to provide material for the core of
the bank than a specific addition to the enclosures defences. A low counterscarp bank was
identified running around the southern perimeter of the enclosure outside the rock-cut ditch.
Two periods of occupation, very closely associated together and of insignificant time
difference, were identified within the interior of Garryduff I. The primary phase began shortly
after the bank was built and was marked by two houses. House I occupied the west central
area and was a post-built structure of indeterminate plan. It was associated with an internal
hearth and rubbish pit from which a few fragments of E ware pottery were recovered. House
II, a post-built structure, was identified to the east of House I. It was rectangular in form
(6.40m x 3.05m) and had an internal hearth and areas of paving. A gravelled entrance
passage stretching from the eastern side of House II through the entrance passage also
belonged to this phase and provided a dry surface into the centre of the enclosure. The
principal find from this phase consisted of a bird ornament decorated with gold filigree
recovered near the centre of the enclosure and dating to just before, or at the beginning of,
the occupation of the site.
The secondary phase of occupation followed a partial collapse of the inner face of the
enclosure bank and was marked by the decay of the enclosure defences and entrance. Areas
of paving in the south and southeast sides of the interior - two associated with hearths -
suggest the presence of house sites, as does the presence of a third, isolated hearth to the
northwest.
The excavation was find-rich, with the majority of the finds associated with the secondary
occupation phase. Finds exclusive to this occupation phase included a bronze finger ring;
tweezers; button and sewing needle; two iron chisels; sickles; bill-hooks; a belt-buckle; a
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