EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Londonderry
Oughtymore, Co. Londonderry
Early Medieval Midden.
Grid Ref: C66163638 (26616/43638)
SMR No: LDY 001:002
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: 1979.
Site Directors: J. P. Mallory (Queen’s University, Belfast) & J.C. Woodman
(University College, Cork)
The site was located in a sand cliff overlooking the Lough Foyle estuary and was in danger of
being completely destroyed by coastal erosion. A two day rescue exaction was undertaken to
record the midden.
The main archaeological horizon consisted of a substantial occupation deposit (ranging from
0.1m to 0.3m thick) (Fig. 201). Twenty sherds of souterrain ware pottery were found in this
layer, as well as fragments of a blue glass bracelet and a lignite bracelet; two bone comb
fragments and part of an antler ring. Charred grains of rye (Secale cereale) and barley
(Hordeum sp.) were also recovered from this occupation layer.
The domestic animal bones from the early medieval period showed an MNI % of: Cattle
(30.8%); Sheep (38.5%); Pig (23.1%); Horse (7.7%). Fish (eel; cod; haddock; flat fish and
salmonid), as well as edible shell fish (dominated by winkles, but also a number of cockles
and mussels), were also found in the midden.
It was suggested by the excavators that the early medieval inhabitants of the site at
Oughtymore may have represented a social class inferior to those who dwelt in enclosed
settlements, and that they may have held their land on tenure from the church.
Fig. 201: Section of midden at Oughtymore, Co. Londonderry (after Mallory & Woodman
1984, 52).
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