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

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Laois<br />

Parknahown, Co. Laois<br />

Early Medieval Settlement-Cemetery.<br />

Grid Ref: S34227419 (234223/174191)<br />

SMR No: N/A<br />

Excavation Licence: 06E2170<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: March 2005 - 2006<br />

Site Director: T. O’Neill (ACS)<br />

Topsoil stripping prior to road construction uncovered a series <strong>of</strong> archaeological features set<br />

on a low plateau overlooking the River Goul. <strong>The</strong>se consisted <strong>of</strong> an enclosure ditch, a later<br />

double-ditched enclosure, and an enclosed cemetery (Fig. 196).<br />

<strong>The</strong> earliest ditched enclosure measured 54m in diameter, and was defined by a ditch 2.25m<br />

wide and 1.2m deep. It appears to have been a domestic site, and fragments <strong>of</strong> bone needles<br />

and a bone comb were recovered from the ditch fill. Some corroded iron knife blades were<br />

also recovered from this phase. A radiocarbon date from this enclosure places it to the fifth to<br />

seventh century (see below). This enclosure ditch was deliberately in-filled during the<br />

construction <strong>of</strong> the double-ditched enclosure.<br />

<strong>The</strong> internal diameter <strong>of</strong> the later double-ditched enclosure was 60m, and dimensions for the<br />

larger ditch are recorded as 4m wide and 2.2m deep. An external linear feature discovered by<br />

geophysics would appear to be contemporary with this enclosure, and may represent a field<br />

boundary. <strong>The</strong> enclosure ditches were allowed to silt-up naturally, but there is also evidence<br />

for re-cutting. Radiocarbon dates from the double-ditched enclosure suggest it was<br />

constructed in the fifth or sixth century (which suggests that construction <strong>of</strong> the single<br />

enclosure ditch must fall in the early part <strong>of</strong> the radiocarbon-derived date range), and dating<br />

from the re-cut suggests this was done in the eleventh or twelfth century (see below). A<br />

large quantity <strong>of</strong> animal bone was recovered from the ditch (cattle, horse, pig, sheep and<br />

deer), but this had not been fully analysed at time <strong>of</strong> writing.<br />

<strong>The</strong> most impressive find from this phase was a penannular copper-alloy brooch with birdhead<br />

terminals. This is Anglo-Saxon in style (and probably in origin) and is dated to the<br />

seventh century.<br />

A possible circular structure defined by slot-trenches and postholes may belong to either <strong>of</strong><br />

these enclosure phases. Radiocarbon dates from the gully associated with this structure,<br />

however, make it more likely to belong to the earlier phase.<br />

<strong>The</strong> cemetery enclosure is placed within the double-ditched enclosure. Almost five hundred<br />

burials were uncovered (472), most <strong>of</strong> which were east-west aligned after the Christian<br />

fashion. Some <strong>of</strong> these burials were associated with ‘ear muffs’ (i.e. stones places on either<br />

side <strong>of</strong> the head to prevent rolling), and a number <strong>of</strong> decorative items were also found<br />

associated with the burials. <strong>The</strong>se included glass beads, bone beads, copper-alloy pins, bone<br />

pins, a fragmented jet bracelet, and a copper-alloy mount with inset enamel.<br />

404

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