EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Antrim
Seacash, Co. Antrim
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure
Grid Ref: J15397978 (31539/37978)
SMR No. ANT 055:077
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: July – August 1971.
Site Director: C. J. Lynn (Historic Monuments Branch, Department of Environment).
The enclosure had been levelled during World War II to construct temporary airforce huts
and was completely destroyed in 1971 prior to construction of an army barracks. The site had
been seriously damaged by bull-dozing and all features in the northwest area were truncated
to some extent. A flimsy, possibly wicker walled, structure was discovered in the southeast
quadrant.
Access to the enclosure had been gained across an hourglass-shaped causeway (Fig. 35).
The causeway was broken by an ancient, stone-packed drain, evidently designed to permit
water to escape to the northwest. It is possible that the drain was a secondary feature of the
causeway. An attempt had been made to widen the causeway at some time late in the
enclosure’s occupation, or perhaps after its abandonment. A row of eight oak posts (‘A’ on
plan) had been driven in 1.5m from the edge of the causeway and parallel to it. The original
entrance was blocked by a gate as two large postholes (‘B’), 2m apart and 0.35m deep, were
found 2m inside the causeway.
A circular structure was identified to the east of the modern pipe trench; and a rectangular
lean-to structure, which may have utilised the exterior bank face as an interior wall, was
identified to the east of this. The circular structure was interpreted as a dwelling, while the
lean-to may have been an outhouse.
The water-logged conditions immediately to the southeast of the causeway preserved some
organic objects – mainly wooden stave-built vessels; and a scrap of possible shoe leather.
Analysis of the animal bone suggests that the minimum numbers were as follows: Cattle – 8;
Pig – 5; Sheep – 4; Horse – 2; Cat – 1.
Almost 3,000 sherds of souterrain ware were found on site, some of which was decorated
with cordons or oval impressions. Three glass beads; three bronze pins and an iron spiral
ringed pin were also found. Agricultural activity was indicated by the discovery of an iron
sickle point and part of a rotary quern-stone; and other industrial activity may have been
hinted at by the discovery of pieces of whetstones and hone-stones, as well as stone spindle
whorls.
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