EMAP_2012_Report_6_1.pdf (7.3 MB) - The Heritage Council

Pins
Pins have been called ‘the universal metal dress-fastener’ of early medieval Ireland, and were
probably used as such by most of the population (Youngs 1989, 22; Edwards 1990, 141).
Many different types are known, several of which overlap chronologically; some types dating
back into the Iron Age, including Omega pins, ibex-headed pins and projecting ring-headed
pins, also occur occasionally on early medieval sites. The vast majority of pins, however, fall
into two main categories of ring-headed pins and stick pins. Pins are generally less decorative
than brooches, being smaller in surface area, but may yet display high-quality workmanship
and skilled craft in their making. A broader range of material is used in pins than for brooches
– not only the various metals, but also significant quantities of bone/antler and, in a few
cases, wood (the scarcity of which may be linked to preservation conditions).
Pins were found on 152 of the 216 sites which produced personal ornaments. Of these, 63
sites produced just a single pin; 66 had between two and ten pins; and 23 had more than ten
pins (see Table 7.4). Distribution across difference site types is indicated in Fig. 7.4.
Site Total Copper alloy Iron Bone/antler Wood Other
Dowdstown 11 5 3 3
Killickaweeny 11 1 6 4
Carraig Aille I 13 5 5 3
Uisneach 14 4 9 1
Cloghermore 15 6 1 8
Parknahown
At least 13 1 Plural
16
Newtownlow 20 20
Rathmullan Lower 21 3 1 17
Moynagh Lough 23 7 4 12
Rathtinaun
At least 9+ 2 12+ 3+
26
Ballinderry II 27 10 1 9 7
Ballinderry I 28 17 2 6 3
Raystown 29 11 12 6
Garryduff
At least 15 20 Plural
37
Deer Park Farms 62 5 14 36 7
Roestown 2
At least 32 8 27+
67
Feltrim Hill
At least
73
Plural 23 48
Castlefarm 81 27 15 17 22 iron-&-
copper alloy
Carraig Aille II 89 19 31 39
Cahercommaun 98 5 11 82
Dooey c. 100 c. 50 plural plural
Lagore 221 31 12 164 13 1 silver
Knowth 223 145 25 51 2 leaded
gunmetal
Table 7.4: Sites with more than ten pins, with materials
Copper alloy was the most widely represented material for pins: 128 sites had copper alloy
pins, either alone or with other materials, and of these, 66 had copper alloy pins only. A total
of 63 sites produced iron pins; nine of these had only iron pins, the rest had other materials
also. Fifty-four sites produced bone pins, of which just seven had bone pins only (Boho,
Castleskreen, Dunbell Big 6, Moathill 1, Owenbristy, Park North and Ratoath; of these only
Boho has no other ornaments). Just one site (Lagore) produced a silver pin. No site produced
only wooden pins, but a small number (five) had wooden examples among their pin
assemblages. Four of these were crannogs – Ballinderry I, Ballinderry II, Lagore and
Rathtinaun – and the fifth a waterlogged raised rath (Deer Park Farms), so preservation
conditions may be a key element here, although it does not explain their absence from other
crannogs. Twenty-four sites had pins of three different materials, namely copper alloy, iron
and bone; these were Cahercommaun, Carraig Aille I, Carraig Aille II, Castlefarm,
113