EMAP_2012_Report_6_1.pdf (7.3 MB) - The Heritage Council

ferrous metal-working relative to some of the others is unclear. These serve to emphasis the
role of communities on some crannogs in fine metal-working. At the highest end of the
spectrum there are clear differences in the numbers of moulds, crucibles and crucible
fragments which could in the case of Armagh result from extent of excavation or could be
genuine differences in manufacturing of cast as opposed to composite objects (Fig. 3.4). It is
equally striking how Knowth produced relatively little evidence for non-ferrous metal-working
when compared to other important centres of power (Barton & Bayley 2012, 526-33). While
Lagore produced much greater numbers of crucibles than Knowth the numbers of clay
moulds from both is very low in comparison to Moynagh and Garranes (Fig. 3.5). By way of
an urban contrast the excavations in Viking Dublin revealed 1700 crucibles or fragments
thereof, large numbers of ingot moulds mostly copper alloy but with lead, gold, pewter and
silver examples (Bayley 2005/6, 4). Interestingly there were small numbers of ‘scrappy’ clay
moulds. Once again was this an issue of preservation of moulds or other techniques used to
construct objects at that particular workshop.
Corranneary
Moylarg
Woodstown
Knowth
Armagh
Ballinderry 2
Kilgobbin
Dunmisk
Clay Moulds
Crucibles/heating trays
Crucible frags
stone ingot moulds
stone object moulds
Lagore
Moynagh
Garranes
0 200 400 600 800
Figure 3.5: Settlements with clay moulds, crucibles and stone moulds. Armagh,
Kilgobbin and Dumisk included as ecclesiastical sites for comparison.
3.6: Conclusion:
Non-ferrous metal-working clearly had an impact on economy and society. The making of
important liturgical, ritual or symbolic objects tied secular and ecclesiastical lords together.
The manufacture of such objects would have a price throughout society in the levels of
tribute required to procure raw materials and produce them. At lower levels the production
and wearing of copper alloy pins and brooches and other objects was a widespread and
important practice (Doyle infra, Section 3). Given the limited distribution of moulds despite
the extensive excavations of recent decades it seems likely that their production and
acquisition was tightly controlled. The frequently found crucibles on many sites which have
no other non-ferrous evidence suggest that craftsmen must have travelled to settlements.
They must in turn have had access to sources of raw materials or scrap metal and the
networks that controlled them.
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