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

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Meath<br />

Kells, Co. Meath<br />

Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Settlement<br />

Grid reference: N739760 (27390/27600)<br />

SMR No: ME017-044<br />

Excavation License No: N/A<br />

Excavation duration/year: October – December 1987; April – May 1988<br />

Site director: G. Byrne (Freelance)<br />

Excavations at Kells – in advance <strong>of</strong> a proposed new Garda headquarters – revealed a range<br />

<strong>of</strong> features dating from potentially the Bronze Age until the post medieval periods. Early<br />

medieval activity was represented by part <strong>of</strong> an enclosure ditch and some pits outside the<br />

ecclesiastical site at Kells. <strong>The</strong> site was located immediately to the northwest <strong>of</strong> the stonero<strong>of</strong>ed<br />

oratory known as ‘St Columba's House’ – dated between the eighth and ninth<br />

centuries from scientific analysis <strong>of</strong> its mortar<br />

(www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Kells.htm) – and 150m north-north-west <strong>of</strong><br />

the round tower. <strong>The</strong> site was situated on the summit and eastern side <strong>of</strong> a low hill.<br />

Part <strong>of</strong> a V-sectioned ditch, which measured approximately 2.2m wide and 1.5m deep, was<br />

revealed for a length <strong>of</strong> about 20m directly to the north-west <strong>of</strong> St Columba's House. This<br />

formed part <strong>of</strong> a circular enclosure that was approximately 22m in diameter.<br />

<strong>The</strong> ditch expanded in width and depth at its northern end before terminating at a potential<br />

entrance. <strong>The</strong> entrance was defined by a large number <strong>of</strong> stakeholes. Many <strong>of</strong> these formed<br />

two main rows which ran parallel to the ditch end. <strong>The</strong> ditch was partly rock-cut and its fill<br />

consisted <strong>of</strong> several different layers with large quantities <strong>of</strong> animal bone. Bronze artefacts<br />

included a plain brooch from one <strong>of</strong> the basal fills that possibly dates to the seventh century,<br />

a needle and a ring fragment. Items <strong>of</strong> iron included a ring-handle, a hook and a knife while<br />

ironworking was indicated by the presence <strong>of</strong> a furnace bottom and slag. Stone finds included<br />

a bead, whetstones, a flat perforated disc and a number <strong>of</strong> naturally water-rounded stones. A<br />

blue-glass bead and a bone pin were also retrieved.<br />

A shallow ash- and charcoal-filled pit to the west <strong>of</strong> the ditch contained a green and opaque<br />

yellow glass bead.<br />

Further excavation <strong>of</strong> the enclosure ditch in 1988 (three sections were investigated) produced<br />

a large quantity <strong>of</strong> artefacts including a stone spindle whorl, a socketed iron punch or awl, an<br />

iron ring, slag, fragments <strong>of</strong> a bronze ring, a bone cylinder and the head <strong>of</strong> a bone pin.<br />

Animal bone was also abundant. Another pit was excavated outside the enclosure and it<br />

contained a lot <strong>of</strong> charcoal and ash. <strong>The</strong> only artefact was part <strong>of</strong> a polished bone pin. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

excavations suggest that there was settlement activity at Kells potentially prior to the<br />

foundation <strong>of</strong> the monastery in A.D. 804 by St Colmcille <strong>of</strong> Iona.<br />

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

References:<br />

Byrne, B. 1987:041. Kells, Townparks, Co. Meath’, www.excavations.ie.<br />

Byrne, B. 1988:057. Kells, Townparks, Co. Meath’, www.excavations.ie.<br />

Electronic Resource:<br />

www.megalithicireland.com.<br />

547

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