EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Westmeath
‘Uisneach’ (Rathnew td.), Co. Westmeath
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure
Grid reference: N29574875 (229572/248795)
SMR No: WM024-066
Excavation Licence No: N/A
Excavation duration/year: June 1925; August-September 1927.
Site directors: R.A.S. Macalister & R.L. Praeger (University College, Dublin).
The site consists of two areas – the main circular enclosure and a semicircular annex. The
main enclosure is further subdivided into three sections – western; central; and eastern (Fig.
300). Excavation revealed that the site had four separate periods of occupation.
Phase I is indicated by a ditched enclosure, approximately 47m in diameter. The ditch
appears to have been allowed to silt-up gradually over a period of time. A stone wall appears
to have been located on the outer lip of the ditch. Finds from this ditch consisted of a bronze
pin, and a silver-inlaid pin of a penannular brooch. An outer ditch was also identified from this
period.
Inside the area enclosed by the inner ditch, a number of pits, roughly 1.5m deep, were
uncovered. A small iron knife was recovered from the fill of one of these pits. A scatter of
postholes in the interior has also been placed to Phase I occupation.
Phase II witnessed a number of constructions, including a roadway up to the site. The
souterrain on site is also placed in this occupation phase.
In Phase III the site took on most of its present shape. The internally-stone-revetted banks
were created - including an intervening ditch – and the internal subdivisions were established.
A circular earthen-walled structure - the ‘Eastern House’- was attributed to this period. This
building was subdivided into a number of chambers.
In Phase IV the western annex was added to the site. Within this was a stone-walled house
of indefinite form – the ‘Western House’- and an associated souterrain which must have been
entered from the house.
The site was totally aceramic, but fragments of four jet bracelets; four bronze pins; as well as
a large number of iron objects (not necessarily contemporary with occupation), were found.
Animal bones were recovered for cattle, sheep, pig, horse, red deer, dog/wolf, cat, fox,
rabbit, stoat, hedgehog, frog and birds.
651