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

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Dublin<br />

Also, 55 E ware sherds, from possibly the same jar, and a bronze ringed pin were recovered at the<br />

interface <strong>of</strong> this layer and the top layer. <strong>The</strong> E ware sherds were distributed in two areas at either<br />

side <strong>of</strong> the entrance which suggests that the structure may have been in use when they were<br />

deposited. This suggests that the building was in use between the mid sixth and mid seventh<br />

centuries at least and possibly earlier. Interestingly, the dwelling was situated on an elevated and<br />

exposed position – both on top <strong>of</strong> the bank and on one <strong>of</strong> the highest places in the northern part <strong>of</strong><br />

the island – so it appears that visibility was a key factor in its choice <strong>of</strong> location.<br />

A trench was placed across the northern promontory platform in 1959 and was labelled Site V. Early<br />

medieval activity consisted <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> pits. One produced an E ware sherd and a lignite ring<br />

although their function is unclear. Twenty five E ware sherds were also uncovered within the trench.<br />

A number <strong>of</strong> other cuttings revealed further pits and hearths. Late Roman Amphora and E ware<br />

pottery sherds were associated with one hearth while one <strong>of</strong> the pits produced ironworking debris<br />

including slag and a possible tuyère fragment.<br />

Excavations have revealed structural and artefactual evidence indicative <strong>of</strong> settlement at Dalkey<br />

Island dating to the early medieval period. <strong>The</strong> first early medieval habitation phase preceded the<br />

construction <strong>of</strong> the promontory fort probably between the fifth and mid seventh centuries. <strong>The</strong> fort<br />

bank was utilised for the construction <strong>of</strong> a building – probably a house – in the seventh century. <strong>The</strong><br />

large numbers <strong>of</strong> imported pottery suggest that the promontory fort acted as an importation base<br />

rather than a permanent high status settlement. <strong>The</strong>refore, specialised temporary or seasonal<br />

settlements may have been utilised on the island by a social elite who controlled the procurement <strong>of</strong><br />

exotic foreign goods before they were redistributed on the mainland.<br />

Fig. 114: General plan <strong>of</strong> Dalkey Island (after Liversage 1968, fig. 1).<br />

234

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