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

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Westmeath<br />

‘Uisneach’ (Rathnew td.), Co. Westmeath<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure<br />

Grid reference: N29574875 (229572/248795)<br />

SMR No: WM024-066<br />

Excavation Licence No: N/A<br />

Excavation duration/year: June 1925; August-September 1927.<br />

Site directors: R.A.S. Macalister & R.L. Praeger (University College, Dublin).<br />

<strong>The</strong> site consists <strong>of</strong> two areas – the main circular enclosure and a semicircular annex. <strong>The</strong><br />

main enclosure is further subdivided into three sections – western; central; and eastern (Fig.<br />

316). Excavation revealed that the site had four separate periods <strong>of</strong> occupation.<br />

Phase I is indicated by a ditched enclosure, approximately 47m in diameter. <strong>The</strong> ditch<br />

appears to have been allowed to silt-up gradually over a period <strong>of</strong> time. A stone wall appears<br />

to have been located on the outer lip <strong>of</strong> the ditch. Finds from this ditch consisted <strong>of</strong> a bronze<br />

pin, and a silver-inlaid pin <strong>of</strong> a penannular brooch. An outer ditch was also identified from this<br />

period.<br />

Inside the area enclosed by the inner ditch, a number <strong>of</strong> pits, roughly 1.5m deep, were<br />

uncovered. A small iron knife was recovered from the fill <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> these pits. A scatter <strong>of</strong><br />

postholes in the interior has also been placed to Phase I occupation.<br />

Phase II witnessed a number <strong>of</strong> constructions, including a roadway up to the site. <strong>The</strong><br />

souterrain on site is also placed in this occupation phase.<br />

In Phase III the site took on most <strong>of</strong> its present shape. <strong>The</strong> internally-stone-revetted banks<br />

were created - including an intervening ditch – and the internal subdivisions were established.<br />

A circular earthen-walled structure - the ‘Eastern House’- was attributed to this period. This<br />

building was subdivided into a number <strong>of</strong> chambers.<br />

In Phase IV the western annex was added to the site. Within this was a stone-walled house<br />

<strong>of</strong> indefinite form – the ‘Western House’- and an associated souterrain which must have been<br />

entered from the house.<br />

<strong>The</strong> site was totally aceramic, but fragments <strong>of</strong> four jet bracelets; four bronze pins; as well as<br />

a large number <strong>of</strong> iron objects (not necessarily contemporary with occupation), were found.<br />

Animal bones were recovered for cattle, sheep, pig, horse, red deer, dog/wolf, cat, fox,<br />

rabbit, stoat, hedgehog, frog and birds.<br />

717

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