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

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Dublin<br />

‘Butterfield’, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin<br />

Early Medieval Settlement-Cemetery<br />

Grid reference: O13412842 (313413 228421)<br />

SMR: DU022-038<br />

Excavation Licence No: 97E0140<br />

Excavation duration: May – June 1997; August – September 1997<br />

Site director: J. Carroll (J. Carroll and Co. Ltd.)<br />

Excavations – in advance <strong>of</strong> the expansion <strong>of</strong> the Old Orchard pub in Rathfarnham – revealed a<br />

settlement-cemetery enclosure. Settlement and industrial activity was evident from the finds within<br />

the enclosing ditch and at least 233 burials were revealed within the enclosure. Only a small area <strong>of</strong><br />

the site was excavated and radiocarbon dates are awaited but Butterfield probably represents a<br />

secular early medieval settlement and burial enclosure.<br />

<strong>The</strong> first phase <strong>of</strong> activity at Butterfield related to settlement and industry and was associated with<br />

the digging <strong>of</strong> the inner enclosure ditch. <strong>The</strong> ditch was identified on both the north and south sides <strong>of</strong><br />

the excavated area which suggests that there was an enclosure. Further evidence for an enclosure<br />

was identified on the first edition OS map which shows that the site was situated within a curvilinear<br />

area formed by a bend in the old road, at Butterfield Avenue, and the surrounding field boundaries.<br />

Indicators <strong>of</strong> habitation included large quantities <strong>of</strong> animal bone, a penannular brooch terminal, iron<br />

knives and a pig fibula pin within the ditch fills. Both iron and copper slag, and vitrified clay were also<br />

recovered from the ditch which indicates that ferrous and non-ferrous metalworking occurred at, or<br />

near, the site. Quantities <strong>of</strong> iron slag were also found on the south side <strong>of</strong> the site at the edge <strong>of</strong><br />

ditch.<br />

A cemetery was located within the enclosure and contained at least 233 burials. Only a small area<br />

was excavated and there were approximately three layers <strong>of</strong> burials which overlapped each other.<br />

‘Ear muffs’ were present in some graves and all the burials were extended inhumations and<br />

orientated west-east. Carroll has assigned the cemetery to Phase II although there is no stratigraphic<br />

information in the excavation bulletin to suggest this. It is possible that the site originated as a burial<br />

ground and then incorporated settlement activity. As the dimensions <strong>of</strong> the enclosure are not given, it<br />

is difficult to determine if Butterfield was an ecclesiastical or secular site. No historical accounts <strong>of</strong> a<br />

church are recorded so perhaps the latter option is more plausible.<br />

<strong>The</strong> final phase incorporated the digging <strong>of</strong> a second ditch although its relationship to the first ditch is<br />

unclear. Later medieval activity was recorded in the site’s northern area and included a possible<br />

structure and a range <strong>of</strong> twelfth- and thirteenth-century finds.<br />

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

Reference:<br />

Carroll, J. 1997:184. <strong>The</strong> Old Orchard Inn, Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham. www.excavations.ie.<br />

Internet reference:<br />

http://www.judithcarrollandco.ie/project.php?pid=23<br />

229

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