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

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

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Dublin<br />

‘St Gobban’, Kilgobbin, Stepaside, Co. Dublin<br />

Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Settlement<br />

Grid reference: O18902440 (31890/22440)<br />

SMR: DU025-016<br />

Excavation Licence No: 04E1373 (Bolger); 04E0981 (Larsson)<br />

Excavation duration: Summer 2004<br />

Site director: T. Bolger (Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd.); E. Larsson (Arch-Tech Ltd.)<br />

Excavations were undertaken in advance <strong>of</strong> a residential development in two fields directly to the<br />

west and south <strong>of</strong> the early medieval church <strong>of</strong> Kilgobbin. Evidence for settlement, agriculture and<br />

industry was revealed that was mostly related to the ecclesiastical site. Although radiocarbon dates<br />

are awaited, much <strong>of</strong> the archaeological activity most likely dates to the early medieval period.<br />

Teresa Bolger excavated the area directly to the south-east <strong>of</strong> the church. It revealed multi-phase<br />

activity including curvilinear and linear ditches, slot trenches, post and stakeholes, and pits. <strong>The</strong><br />

earliest phase predated the enclosure ditches and consisted <strong>of</strong> a circular slot-trench and pit. No finds<br />

were recovered from this phase.<br />

<strong>The</strong> second phase consisted <strong>of</strong> a ditch aligned north-south and a concentration <strong>of</strong> postholes in the<br />

northern part <strong>of</strong> the excavated area. <strong>The</strong> relationship between the two was unclear but the former<br />

may have been a field boundary. Artefacts indicative <strong>of</strong> settlement and metalworking associated with<br />

this phase included two possible copper-alloy pins a clay mould fragment.<br />

A curving ditch was revealed in Phase III and it defined a circular area approximately 37m in<br />

diameter. It was evident that the ditch did not enclose the church or graveyard. It possibly<br />

represented a secular settlement enclosure which predated later enclosure activity related to the<br />

church. Scatters <strong>of</strong> postholes were identified in the centre and southern part <strong>of</strong> the enclosure while<br />

the only finds were an iron knife and pin.<br />

Phase IV was related to the ecclesiastical site. A large curvilinear ditch was revealed which defined a<br />

circular or sub-circular enclosure. This cut the Phase III enclosure and it would have encircled all, or a<br />

large section, <strong>of</strong> the present church and graveyard. <strong>The</strong> ditch was back-filled before another<br />

enclosure was created that enlarged the space. An annexe was created at the southern end and this<br />

defined an area <strong>of</strong> industrial activity which included metalworking features, slag and crucible<br />

fragments. A number <strong>of</strong> pits also produced metalworking debris.<br />

Evidence for habitation was identified from the large artefactual assemblage associated with Phase<br />

IV. Some <strong>of</strong> the artefacts included a selection <strong>of</strong> iron and copper-alloy pins, a polychrome bead<br />

fragment, a lignite bracelet and a highly ornate copper-alloy clasp.<br />

Further excavation at the north-west <strong>of</strong> the site revealed probable early medieval activity. Two<br />

ditches, from the first phase, appeared to define a large sub-rectangular enclosure that extended<br />

beyond the excavation limit. Occupation was evident by the presence <strong>of</strong> large amounts <strong>of</strong> animal<br />

bone, a possible refuse pit and artefacts from the upper fill <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the ditches. <strong>The</strong> finds included<br />

iron knives, a possible shears, and both iron and copper-alloy studs or mounts. It is probable that this<br />

enclosure is related to the enclosure activity described above but their chronological relationship<br />

cannot be determined until radiocarbon dates are available.<br />

Excavation to the south <strong>of</strong> the church identified further multi-phase activity. Additional ditches were<br />

revealed, as well as a number <strong>of</strong> cereal-drying kilns, which may relate to the church’s agricultural<br />

activities. Phase I consisted <strong>of</strong> a linear ditch and the remains <strong>of</strong> hearth at its base. <strong>The</strong>re was a<br />

marked increase in farming activity during Phase II including the creation <strong>of</strong> a sub-rectangular field<br />

enclosure and two cereal-drying kilns. Additional phases were date late medieval in dates based on<br />

the occurrence <strong>of</strong> pottery sherds within the ditches.<br />

272

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