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AR01055_EMAP_Gazetteer_of_Sites_4-2_10.pdf - The Heritage ...

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Dublin<br />

Ballycullen, Old Court, Co. Dublin<br />

Possible Early Medieval Unenclosed Dwelling<br />

Grid reference: O11542582 (31154/22582)<br />

SMR: N/A<br />

Excavation Licence No: 02E1373<br />

Excavation duration: September 2002<br />

Site director: E. Larsson (Arch-Tech Ltd.)<br />

Excavation – in advance <strong>of</strong> a residential development – revealed a possible early medieval unenclosed<br />

house. <strong>The</strong> site was situated on the north-facing foothills <strong>of</strong> the Dublin Mountains at 100m OD.<br />

<strong>The</strong> dwelling was defined by a C-shaped slot trench/ditch which measured 10.2m by 4.5m and was<br />

approximately 0.5m wide and 0.4m in depth. A gap was located to the south where a large posthole<br />

was evident. <strong>The</strong> external terminals <strong>of</strong> the ditch were also wider than the average width <strong>of</strong> the slot<br />

trench. Moderate amounts <strong>of</strong> charcoal and burnt and un-burnt bone fragments were identified within<br />

the trench fills.<br />

Seventeen postholes were identified within the interior <strong>of</strong> the site and nine, which were evenly<br />

spaced, formed a pattern that respected the outline <strong>of</strong> the slot trench. <strong>The</strong>se were interpreted as<br />

structural posts. A further eight internal postholes were associated with a possible hearth within the<br />

possible dwelling.<br />

A metalled surface, which was associated with six post and stakeholes, was situated to the east <strong>of</strong> the<br />

trench while a thin, linear feature possibly constituted an entrance into the structure.<br />

<strong>The</strong> only finds were two pieces <strong>of</strong> corroded iron from the eastern terminal <strong>of</strong> the slot trench and<br />

waste flakes <strong>of</strong> flint, which were associated with the metalled surface.<br />

<strong>The</strong> date <strong>of</strong> the structure remains unclear but a date in the Iron Age or early medieval period appears<br />

most likely given the building’s shape and the recovery <strong>of</strong> iron objects from its trench fill. <strong>The</strong> lack <strong>of</strong><br />

artefacts and evidence for an enclosure suggests this was either a low-status dwelling or a structure<br />

used for a non-dwelling function. <strong>The</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> a possible hearth appears to favour the former<br />

option.<br />

(No plans were available for this site).<br />

Reference:<br />

Larsson, E. 2002:0640. Site 1, Ballycullen, Oldcourt, Co. Dublin. www.excavations.ie.<br />

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