EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Armagh
Armagh (Armagh City td.), Co. Armagh
Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Settlement.
Grid Ref: H87444511 (28744/34511)
SMR No: ARM 012:066
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: June – September 1968; December 1979 – January 1980;
September – December 1990 & March – April 1991; February – April 1992.
Site Directors: C. Gaskell-Brown & A. E. T. Harper (Historic Monuments Branch,
Ministry of Finance); C. J. Lynn (Historic Monuments Branch, Department of the
Environment (NI)); N. Crothers (Archaeological Development Services Ltd.); D. P.
Hurl (Environment & Heritage Service, Department of the Environment (NI))
The streets around the cathedral of St Patrick’s in Armagh have been the subject of a number
of excavations which uncovered evidence for early medieval settlement within the early
ecclesiastical enclosure (Fig. 38).
Excavations at Castle Street in 1968 revealed a substantial V-shaped ditch which had been
modified at least twice (Fig. 39). The earliest phase ended when material from an outer bank
was used to partially in-fill the ditch – the remains of two human burials were included in this
fill; and evidence for bronze working (metal fragments, crucibles and ingot moulds) were
found in the layers above and below the human remains. By the end of the early medieval
period the ditch appears to have been used as a rubbish dump for industrial activity ongoing
on site – crucibles, clay moulds, trial pieces and enamel were all found in this area. A stone
causeway was built next to the ditch at this time, and three post-holes associated with this
have been interpreted as a possible fence.
A number of pits uncovered within the enclosure near this causeway appear to have industrial
(or possible domestic) function. Finds from one pit (F) included a bronze pin engraved with
birds, a jet bracelet and souterrain ware. A possible workshop (G) was uncovered, and it
produced industrial finds, such as enamel stick and iron shears, and imported material (Eware
sherds and part of a Teutonic glass cone-beaker). The remains of a wattle-and-daub
structure were also excavated (D), which may have acted as a wind-break for the workshop
area.
Excavations throughout the 1970s and 1980s in the Scotch Street area revealed evidence for
a large early medieval cemetery, as well as industrial debris (lignite, glass and amber
working), and some settlement evidence (souterrain ware and some possible structural
features). Excavations at Upper English Street uncovered the terminals of a ditch, sealed by a
layer which contained sherds of souterrain ware, and cut into by a second ditch (which
contained sherds of everted-rim ware). Industrial activity was identified in the form of
metalworking (slag, crucibles and furnace bottoms), and a series of post-holes, stake-holes
and hollows may be representative of structures. A ring-ditch which contained slag and
charcoal was excavated at Abbey Street (Fig. 40). This was radiocarbon dated to the eighthto
tenth-century. Over 2000 sherds of pottery were recovered from this excavation, of which
68 were identified as souterrain ware or everted-rim ware.
Although substantial evidence for industrial activity (iron-working, bronze-working, ligniteworking,
glass-working, enamel-working, and amber-working) has been uncovered in these
excavations, there is very little archaeological evidence for early medieval settlement.
Continuous occupation on the hill in Armagh appears to have significantly truncated and
destroyed the remains of earlier settlement.
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