EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Louth
Archaeological monitoring of two fields in a low-lying area, mostly below 15m OD, was
undertaken by O’Carroll in 1999 in advance of a housing development. The proposed
development avoided the nearby enclosure, partially excavated by Campbell, to the northwest
and its surrounding area. A field boundary, which contained iron slag, and an associated
stone-faced bank were revealed to the south-east of the enclosure as well as a narrow gully.
Their date is unknown but they may relate to field enclosure activity associated with the
enclosure. A dry-stone-constructed keyhole-shaped cereal-drying kiln and rake-out spread,
which had been built into an earlier ditch, were also exposed. These tend to date to the latter
part of the early medieval period and late middle-ages.
Archaeological testing in 2001 by Moore, on top of a hill and its environs at Haggardstown,
revealed a number of north-south and east-west ditches and related features. The ditches
may relate to a series of settlement enclosures. One of the ditches included a fragment of
souterrain ware and human bone. Substantial areas of burning, including frequent fragments
of animal bone and shell, were also revealed on top of the hill which is suggestive of an
occupation layer. A possible souterrain was revealed in a field to the east.
Excavations by McLoughlin in 1999 – in advance of the Xerox Technology Park – revealed a
souterrain, ditches and cereal-drying kiln. The dry-stone souterrain was located
approximately 40m south of a horseshoe-shaped enclosure (LO007-095). Its entrance
passage, which contained a slot with two post-holes; probably to hold a previous door, ran
east-west for 3m until it turned north-south. It continued for 7m until it widened slightly into
an end chamber. Another passage was located that ran at a right angle from the north-south
passage. It extended for 5m until it terminated at a chamber. Finds from the souterrain
included an amber bead, a probable loom weight, half a lignite bracelet and a quantity of
animal bone. Several metal objects were also recovered including an example with traces of
enamel.
The souterrain cut through a ditch that was linked to the horseshoe-shaped enclosure. A
large, irregular-shaped feature, consisting of a central linear ditch with two crescent-shaped
arcs projected at either end was situated approximately 3m north of the souterrain. One of
the arcs contained souterrain ware sherds while the partial remains of an articulated skeleton
were revealed at the southern end of the other arc. A dry-stone keyhole-shaped cereal-drying
kiln was also excavated at the site.
Archaeological testing in 2002 by Walsh – on lands zoned for potential residential use and in
proximity to the south-east of McLoughlin’s excavations – identified a series of spreads, layers
and linear features related to early medieval industrial activity. The archaeological features
contained a number of sherds of coarse early medieval pottery – possibly souterrain ware –
and considerable quantities of metal slag.
Haggarstown townland has, therefore, revealed a range of archaeological features indicative
of early medieval settlement, agriculture and industry. The relationship between the sites is
difficult to determine without radiocarbon dates but it is clear that Haggardstown was the
focus for continued settlement throughout the early middle-ages.
(No plans were available for this site).
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