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

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Louth<br />

southern entrance was marked by three upright jambs. Charcoal and some small pottery<br />

fragments were discovered in the southern part <strong>of</strong> the structure.<br />

Hut C East was circular and had a diameter <strong>of</strong> 3.6m. <strong>The</strong> door was to the south and was<br />

flanked by two small jambs. A hearth was centrally placed and there were internal irregular<br />

traces <strong>of</strong> cobbling. Further indications <strong>of</strong> occupation included quantities <strong>of</strong> charcoal,<br />

fragments <strong>of</strong> a lignite bracelet, seven flint tools, an iron object and coarse pottery sherds. Hut<br />

C West was smaller and had a diameter <strong>of</strong> 2.3m. <strong>The</strong> entrance was similalrly to the south and<br />

a hearth was present centrally. Finds included charcoal, hazelnut shells, an iron knife, a flint<br />

(possibly a scraper) and small pottery sherds.<br />

Huts’ B and D were described by Davies as isolated huts within the cashel. Hut B South was<br />

roughly circular and had a diameter <strong>of</strong> 1.8m. A door, flanked by two jambs, was located to<br />

the south-east and it was paved with small stones. Charcoal and pottery sherds were the only<br />

finds. Hut D was very small and had a diameter <strong>of</strong> 1m. Charcoal was present in good<br />

quantities and a glass bead was recovered from the burnt earth. No entrance was evident.<br />

Hut E was constructed against the cashel’s inner wall. It was irregularly shaped and a small<br />

bench may have been situated in the west wall. A hearth was centrally placed and the floor<br />

was roughly paved. Finds from the hut included charcoal, two pieces <strong>of</strong> iron, flint tools (some<br />

probable strike-a-lights) and pottery sherds.<br />

Lissachiggel was probably constructed between the seventh and tenth centuries based on<br />

dating evidence for early medieval settlement enclosures (both earth and stone) and the<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> possible souterrain ware. Davies had identified two main periods <strong>of</strong> hut<br />

use/construction dating to the early and post medieval periods. It appears, based on the<br />

cashel’s upland location, above the productive agricultural soils, and the paucity <strong>of</strong> finds, that<br />

Lissachiggel was a low-status transhumance settlement which was utilised during the summer<br />

months.<br />

Fig. 223: Plan <strong>of</strong> interior <strong>of</strong> Lissachiggel, Co. Louth, showing houses (after Davies 1937-40,<br />

212).<br />

472

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