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

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Louth<br />

Whiterath, Co. Louth<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure<br />

Grid reference: O04199852 (304195/298525)<br />

SMR: N/A<br />

Excavation Licence No: 99E0485<br />

Excavation duration: August 1999 – April 2000<br />

Site director: C. Ó Drisceoil (Valerie J. Keeley Ltd)<br />

Excavation at Whiterath in advance <strong>of</strong> the Dunleer–Dundalk Bypass, revealed a settlement<br />

enclosure and possible outer enclosure ditch, a souterrain, a large pit and a possible cerealdrying<br />

kiln. Artefactual analysis suggests the site was occupied during the ninth and tenth<br />

centuries.<br />

Two ditches, 41m apart to the east and west, were revealed and geophysical survey, and<br />

later test excavation, demonstrated that they joined to form an enclosure. A third ditch ran<br />

parallel to the western ditch and was within 1m <strong>of</strong> the souterrain (see below). Geophysical<br />

prospection failed to reveal the remainder <strong>of</strong> this ditch. Finds from the ditches indicated<br />

settlement and industrial activity and included ringed pins, iron knives, souterrain ware and<br />

later medieval pottery, a polished stone axe-head, iron hooks, an iron reaping hook, iron slag<br />

and a large quantity <strong>of</strong> animal bone. <strong>The</strong> outer ditch may be related to a later occupation<br />

phase associated with the souterrain.<br />

<strong>The</strong> dry-stone souterrain was an irregular U-shape in plan. It measured 28m long and was,<br />

on average, 1m wide. Two entrances were revealed which led into a low passage that turned<br />

sharply to a stepped feature. A hidden compartment, that contained a large quantity <strong>of</strong><br />

animal bone, was discovered underneath the step and a bone-bead necklace was found<br />

outside it. A passage leading to a chamber formed the lower level. <strong>The</strong> chamber contained<br />

two jambs which were associated with large postholes. Evidence, indicative <strong>of</strong> occupation,<br />

was revealed on the souterrain floor and included a large quantity <strong>of</strong> animal bone, a bronze<br />

panel with an enamel interlace decoration, souterrain ware and iron slag.<br />

Other features at Whiterath included a large pit, which contained a broken blue glass armlet<br />

in one <strong>of</strong> its fills, and a possible keyhole-shaped cereal-drying kiln.<br />

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

References:<br />

Ó Drisceoil, C. 2000:0721. Site 2, Whiterath, Co. Louth. www.excavations.ie.<br />

Ó Drisceoil, C. 2005:1095. Site 2, Whiterath, Co. Louth. www.excavations.ie.<br />

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