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

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Waterford<br />

Woodstown 6, Co. Waterford<br />

Hiberno-Scandinavian Longphort<br />

Grid Ref: S55021127 (255022/111276)<br />

SMR No: N/A<br />

Excavation Licence: 02E0441 & C191 /E2964<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: March-May 2003; August-September 2003; March-June<br />

2004; March-May 2007<br />

Site Director: I. Russell (Archaeological Consultancy Services & DoEHLG)<br />

Woodstown 6, excavated in advance <strong>of</strong> the proposed N25 Waterford Bypass, revealed<br />

evidence for a possible ninth/tenth century Scandinavian longphort associated with<br />

considerable industrial, craftworking and mercantile activities. <strong>The</strong> site is situated close to the<br />

point <strong>of</strong> confluence <strong>of</strong> the River Suir and an area <strong>of</strong> marshland containing Killoteran stream,<br />

approximately 6 km south-west <strong>of</strong> Waterford city. <strong>The</strong> site was the subject <strong>of</strong> initial testing in<br />

2003 with archaeological excavations undertaken in 2004 for the construction <strong>of</strong> a water<br />

culvert. Subsequent excavations were undertaken in 2007 for the DoEHLG funded<br />

Woodstown 6 Supplementary Research Project.<br />

Excavations focused on two low-lying (7.97m OD) fields on the south banks <strong>of</strong> the Suir. Initial<br />

testing was undertaken within the two fields in 2003 with further monitoring in 2004. A series<br />

<strong>of</strong> small investigations were undertaken in 2007 in fulfillment <strong>of</strong> the Woodstown 6<br />

Supplementary Research Project, carried out on behalf <strong>of</strong> the DoEHLG. <strong>The</strong> site was partially<br />

trunctuated by cultivation activity and the construction <strong>of</strong> the nineteenth century Waterford-<br />

Lismore-Dungarvan railway-line which ran along the south bank <strong>of</strong> the River Suir.<br />

Prehistoric activity at the site was indicated by a number <strong>of</strong> disturbed flint artefacts including<br />

a barbed and tanged arrowhead and a possible Bronze Age corn-drying kiln found outside the<br />

early medieval enclosure in culvert one at the northern end <strong>of</strong> the site. <strong>The</strong> possible kiln or<br />

oven represents at the site is one <strong>of</strong> the earliest <strong>of</strong> its kind in Ireland.<br />

<strong>The</strong> possible Scandinavian longphort was bounded by the southeast bank <strong>of</strong> the River Suir<br />

and two concentric ditches which appear to enclose a roughly D-shaped area (Fig. 311),<br />

480m by 120m. A smaller D-shaped enclosure defined by a shallow ditch in the northern field<br />

could also be contemporary with the main double-ditched enclosure. <strong>The</strong> chronological<br />

developments <strong>of</strong> the two ditches <strong>of</strong> the main enclosure are not yet completely understood<br />

though excavations indicate that they were consecutive rather than contemporary, with the<br />

larger, outer ditch being cut after the inner shallower ditch was backfilled.<br />

<strong>The</strong> precise length and extent <strong>of</strong> the ditches was not completely established. <strong>The</strong> northern<br />

extent <strong>of</strong> the enclosure was trunctuated by the railway line and much <strong>of</strong> the southwestern<br />

area <strong>of</strong> the site lay outside the proposed line <strong>of</strong> the road scheme. <strong>The</strong> line <strong>of</strong> the two ditches<br />

was uncovered in the northeastern field close to the River Suir and geophysical survey has<br />

identified that both extended southwestwards terminating in marshy ground around Killoteran<br />

stream.<br />

Excavation in advance <strong>of</strong> a culvert (1) at the northern end <strong>of</strong> the site revealed that the two<br />

ditches had a complex stratigraphy with multiple fills and possible re-cuts. <strong>The</strong> earliest,<br />

shallower ditch was associated with an internal bank covered with a pattern <strong>of</strong> stake-holes<br />

which may possibly represent some form <strong>of</strong> palisade at its top. <strong>The</strong> ditch was trunctuated by<br />

ploughing and the larger outer ditch was at least 2.2m wide and 0.6m deep.<br />

<strong>The</strong> inner ditch remained open for a period <strong>of</strong> time as the bank appears to have slipped back<br />

into it and also seems to have been re-cut at least once. <strong>The</strong> inner ditch was subsequently<br />

backfilled and stake-holes were inserted into this fill to form a palisade for a larger ditch<br />

which was uncovered immediately outside the line <strong>of</strong> the smaller, earlier one. <strong>The</strong> larger<br />

outer ditch measured 3m wide and 1.3m deep at the culvert and was re-cut several times.<br />

Away from the culvert (1) trench, the outer ditch was even wider- 4.1m wide and 1.2m deep.<br />

697

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