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

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Meath<br />

Knowth Site M, Co. Meath<br />

Early Medieval Settlement-Cemetery<br />

Grid reference: N99847387 (29984/27387)<br />

SMR No: ME019-069<br />

Excavation Licence No: N/A<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: 2002 - 2004<br />

Site director: G. Stout (Research)<br />

Research excavations at Knowth Site M revealed a settlement-cemetery – enclosed by two<br />

sub-circular ditches – dating between the sixth and tenth centuries. A third, undated, outer<br />

enclosure was constructed potentially after the tenth century. Settlement evidence was<br />

revealed by a platform between the inner and second enclosure ditches and a range <strong>of</strong><br />

artefacts, animal bone and cereal remains that were retrieved from the ditch fills. Agricultural<br />

evidence was also detected within the enclosures. Prehistoric activity was attested to by the<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> large quantities <strong>of</strong> un-stratified lithics. <strong>The</strong> site is situated in marshland and is<br />

drained by a stream linked to the River Mattock. It is located immediately northeast and<br />

down slope from the multi-period burial and settlement site at Knowth in the Boyne river<br />

valley.<br />

<strong>The</strong> earliest phase at Knowth Site M consisted <strong>of</strong> a series <strong>of</strong> undated linear trenches and five<br />

pits some <strong>of</strong> which were cut by the later settlement-cemetery.<br />

<strong>The</strong> settlement/cemetery was enclosed by two sub-circular ditches (Fig. 255). <strong>The</strong> inner<br />

enclosure defined an area measuring 48m northwest/southeast by 40m. It was slightly raised<br />

and therefore represented the driest part <strong>of</strong> the site. <strong>The</strong> ditch was excavated in five<br />

locations and contained similar fills. Animal bone was present throughout and processed<br />

cereal grains were abundant. Charcoal was also present in many <strong>of</strong> the ditch fills. Artefacts<br />

included part <strong>of</strong> a polished stone axe, a flint side and end scraper, iron slag and a fragment<br />

<strong>of</strong> an undecorated bone comb. A blue glass bead and a fragment <strong>of</strong> a gilt Anglo-Saxon mount<br />

were discovered in topsoil above the ditch. Bone and charcoal from the inner enclosure ditch<br />

produced a date between the late sixth and mid seventh century (see below for radiocarbon<br />

dates). Evidence for an internal bank was present in two cuttings.<br />

<strong>The</strong> inner enclosure ditch may have been further delimited by a wall and two associated<br />

external trenches. <strong>The</strong> wall, surviving to a height <strong>of</strong> three courses, followed the edges <strong>of</strong> two<br />

trenches. Charcoal and large amounts <strong>of</strong> charred cereal grains were present in one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

trenches. A flint scraper was also discovered in its ditch fill. A date <strong>of</strong> A.D. 767-896 indicates<br />

that it fell into disuse at some point during this time. <strong>The</strong> second trench was cut by the above<br />

example. It produced a flint and an iron nail. A highly decorated Hiberno-Scandinavian bronze<br />

strap end with interlaced decoration on both sides was located in a layer below the subsoil<br />

and overlying the initial trench.<br />

A final trench, located to the west <strong>of</strong> the first trench and which contained similar fills,<br />

produced iron knife fragments. A date <strong>of</strong> A.D. 877-998 was obtained from its upper fill.<br />

<strong>The</strong> second enclosure was oval in plan and concentric with the inner enclosure. Evidence for<br />

an internal bank was also present in certain places. It had an external diameter <strong>of</strong> 74m by<br />

62.5m. <strong>The</strong> ditch was situated between 9m and 10m outside the inner enclosing ditch.<br />

Charcoal from its primary fill produced a date <strong>of</strong> A.D. 662-780. Animal bone was present<br />

throughout and there was evidence that the ditch had been re-cut. <strong>The</strong> only find was an iron<br />

disc.<br />

<strong>The</strong> outer enclosure was eccentric to the two inner enclosures and consisted <strong>of</strong> two banks<br />

with an intervening ditch. It measured 110m in diameter and both banks were over 5m wide.<br />

Although this enclosure has not been dated it is believed to post-date the two inner<br />

enclosures.<br />

548

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