Carraig Aille II 33 18 stone, 15 bone --- Cahercommaun 62 48 bone, 13 stone, 1 antler --- Table 8.1: sites with larger quantities of spindle whorls <strong>The</strong> distribution of sites with spinning evidence is more widespread than that for preparation; the types of sites involved are shown in Fig. 8.2, while Fig. 8.3 shows the distribution by modern province. 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 preparation spinning weaving sewing Fig. 8.2. <strong>The</strong> four textile-working processes by site type Fig. 8.2. Location of sites with spinning evidence (total sites: 84) Weaving tools <strong>The</strong> next step involved weaving the spun threads together to form a fabric. While small tools survive, there is an absence of larger equipment such as looms. Other than the possible 126
cross-beam of a light loom from Dublin Castle (Lynch & Manning 2001), and the possibility that a mortised timber from Lough Faughan might have been part of a loom frame (Collins 1955, 67), loom weights provide the best evidence for this important weaving apparatus. <strong>The</strong>se stone weights with an hourglass-shaped perforation in the centre have been identified in the archaeological literature and imply the use of vertical warp-weighted looms in early medieval Ireland (Edwards 1990, 81). <strong>The</strong> weights would have held the vertical warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads or yarns. Hodkinson (1987, 49-50) compiled a catalogue of these objects; he noted, however, that with upwards of 20 loom weights required for a single warp-weighted loom (based on comparisons with Anglo- Saxon England), the scarcity of loom weights in Ireland, and the lack of complete collections from individual sites, did not seem to indicate the presence of these looms (ibid. 47; see also Table 8.8). He suggested instead that the early Irish used a different type of loom, and that the so-called ‘loom weights’ were used for another purpose such as sinkers for nets or lines (ibid. 48). Heckett (2003, 98-99) has also noted that possible ‘loom weights’ were found at Fishamble Street and John’s Lane in Dublin, but these were of a shape and material unlike weights which are generally accepted as forming part of looms in the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian world. She concurred with Hodkinson that it is unlikely that ‘wool fabrics were woven on the large warp-weighted vertical loom that was in general use in north-western Europe at least from the migration period (c. A.D. 350-800) until the end of the Viking Age’ (ibid.). As Table 8.2 shows, most sites have produced only one or two possible loom weights, and no complete sets of weights are known. <strong>The</strong> only possible exception is Rinnaraw, where ten perforated stones might be loom weights (Comber 2006, 102). However, there are issues over the correct identification of loom weights; in many cases such perforated stones might also serve as net sinkers or thatch weights (see e.g. Collins 1955, 69; FitzGerald <strong>2012</strong>, 558), while at Garranes, one of the weights was recorded by the excavator as a mace head as it was ‘too well-finished’ to be a loom weight (Ó Ríordáin 1942, 111, 114). O’Brien (2010, 23) has also noted the possibility that some of the large perforated discs classified as loom weights might be functional spindle whorls. Notwithstanding such debates/uncertainties, we can assume that cloth was woven on at least some settlement sites. Name Site type Quantity Reference Aghadegnan, Co. Longford Univallate 1 Carroll 1993 Ballinderry II, Co. Offaly Crannog 2 Hencken 1942, 65 Ballyaghagan, Co. Antrim Univallate 1 Proudfoot 1958, 30 Ballynakelly/Rathcreedan, Co. Non-circular 1 McCarthy 2007 Dublin Baronstown, Co. Meath Non-circular 1 Linnane & Kinsella 2009, 8 Blackchurch, Co. Kildare Medieval industrial 1 (lignite) Duffy 2003 Castlefarm, Co. Meath Cemetery/ 1 O’Connell & Clark 2009, 72 settlement Castlegar, Co. Mayo Univallate 1 Zajac & Scully 2004, 27 Collierstown 1, Co. Meath Cemetery/ 1 Stirland 2009 settlement Cush, Co. Limerick Non-circular 2 Ó Ríordáin 1939/40, 158 Dowdstown 2, Co. Meath Non-circular 2 Cagney et al 2009, 6 Garranes, Co. Cork multivallate 3 Ó Ríordáin 1942, 111, 114 Gragan West, Co. Clare Raised 1 Cotter 1988 Johnstown 1, Co Meath Cemetery/ 2 or more Clarke & Carlin 2008 settlement Knowth, Co. Meath raised 2 FitzGerald <strong>2012</strong>, 558 Lagore, Co. Meath crannog 3 (possible) Hencken 1950, 177 Leacanabuaile, Co. Kerry Cashel 1 Ó Ríordáin & Foy 1941, 93 Leggetsrath West, Co. Kilkenny Multivallate 1 Lennon 2006, 49 Lough Faughan, Co. Down Crannog 2 Collins 1955, 69 Marshes Upper, Co. Louth Non-circular 1 (flint nodule) Gowen 1992 Millockstown, Co. Louth Multivallate 1 Manning 1986, 160 Mullagharlin/Haggardstown, Co. Non-circular 1 McLoughlin 1999 Louth Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Rural industrial 1 Reed 2000 Rinnaraw, Co. Donegal other 1 (unfinished); 10 Comber 2006, 102 127
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The Early Medieval Archaeology Proj
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Table of Contents Section 1: An Ove
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value to excavation reports far bey
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Fig. 1.2: Percentages of site types
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Map 1.1: Map of site that produced
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Map 1.3a: Map of site that produced
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Fig. 1.6: Percentages of site types
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Map 1.5: Map of site that produced
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Fig. 1.8: Percentages of site types
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Map 1.8: Map of site that produced
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Map 1.9: Map of site that produced
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Map 1.11: Geological evidence for s
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data from over 300 sites, and has p
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2.2: Iron artefacts on Irish early
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2012 gazetteer as well as at Randal
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also been found within or close to
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superstructure (ibid. 117). A few a
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2.4.1: Smithing Secondary smithing
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working furnace at Rathgurreen and
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smithing and bloom smithing (827 kg
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number of hearths as indicative of
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univallate enclosures at Lisleagh 1
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Chapter 3: Early Medieval Non-Ferro
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Map 3.1: Map showing distribution o
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little Irish work has been undertak
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3.2.4: Motif-pieces Stone, antler,
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supported by the evidence on most l
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needle (ibid. 144-49). However, McE
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ferrous metal-working relative to s
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glass-working which might suggest t
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93). One decorated millefiori rod a
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Map 5.1: Map of Ireland showing evi
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handles, some smoothed and undecora
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comb of Scottish origin at Castlefa
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Chapter 6: Early medieval stone-wor
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Grindstones are circular stones wit
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North and appear to have been disca
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APPENDIX 1 Site Site type Metalwork
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Site Site type Metalworking Residue
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- 1988. Excavations at Lisleagh Rin
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NAC leaflet. 2011. Steeple Road, An
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Meath. Unpublished report prepared
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- 2005b. Medieval fish traps on the
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- 1953. Preliminary report on Excav
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- 1958. Two souterrains at Bawntaaf
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- 2007. Clonfad 3: A unique glimpse
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Historical Journal, 3, 165-86. Wadd
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- 1971. A Marshland Habitation Site
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Zajac, S. 2002:1382. Carrowkeel, Co