EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Donegal
Rinnaraw, Co. Donegal
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.
Grid Ref: C03803680 (20380/43680)
SMR No: DGO 016-016
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: Summer 1987; Summer 1988; Summer 1989; Summer
1990; Summer 1991; Summer 1992.
Site Director: T. Fanning (University College, Galway).
The site was described in the Archaeological Survey of Co. Donegal as a ‘cashel’, although all
that was visible prior to excavation was a seven metre arc of large stones along the edge of a
rock platform (20-25m in diameter) (Fig. 82).
The early excavations were focused on an area of mounds in the centre of the enclosure (Fig.
83). Excavation revealed this as a rectangular stone house (7m by 5m internally). A large
internal paved area was discovered, as well as possible internal divisions and post holes
which may have held the roof. The hearth was located just north of the centre of the house,
and occupation deposits from above the paved floor showed fragments of charcoal and burnt
bone, as well as iron slag. A stone-lined drain ran out of the house under the wall beside the
entrance. This appears to lead from the paved area, and led the excavator to describe the
structure as a ‘byre-house’ (Figs. 84 & 85), with the paved area acting as an animal pen.
Such structures were common in the later medieval period and through into the postmedieval
period, although similar ‘byre houses’ have been excavated at Norse sites in the
Western Isles.
A shell midden including shellfish (winkles; cockles; and barnacles), as well as iron slag, two
iron objects, a pot sherd, and a fragment of tuyère was found in the area of the north wall of
the house. The exact relationship of this midden to the wall is not understood, although it has
been stated that it carried into the rubble wall core. A second shell midden was found against
the outer face of the wall at the entrance. This included shellfish (winkles and limpets) as well
as three pot sherds. The dates from shells from these middens suggest that they are
substantially later than the occupation of the house, however charcoal from one of the
middens is contemporary with the primary occupation (see below). It seems likely therefore
that some form of activity continued on site through the medieval period, and into the postmedieval
period.
Little was discovered in the ‘yard’ of the house. Structural remains in the east of the
enclosure revealed possible iron-working activity with considerable amounts of iron slag
(30kg were recovered from the site) and fragments of furnace bottoms. The largest number
of souterrain ware sherds from the site was also recovered from this area.
Finds from the site included a number of stone artefacts including seven ‘burnishers’ or
polishing stones; five fragments of serpentine rings; a large number of perforated stones
(loom weights or net weights); a number of stone discs (interpreted as gaming pieces); and a
number of quern fragments. Aside from the iron knife and other object found in the shell
midden, a small number of badly corroded iron objects were found – of these, four knife
fragments were identified.
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