EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Donegal
Dooey, Co. Donegal
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.
Grid Ref: B76000170 (176001/401707)
SMR No: DG065-003003
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: May – September 1959.
Site Director: A.B. Ó Ríordáin & E. Rynne (University College, Galway).
The site is located on a plain of sandhills that juts out into Trawenagh Bay/Gweebarra Bay.
Stone tools, pottery, metal-working and human remains had been found in the area from the
late nineteenth century. Larger scale investigation was undertaken in the late-1930s/early-
1940s, and this revealed ‘dozens’ of bronze pins, as well as an iron penannular brooch, iron
slag, a ‘few’ decorated beads, and a ‘number’ of sherds of decorated pottery. Human skeletal
remains were discovered eroding out of a sandhill during this period, and a larger scale
excavation was eventually undertaken in 1959 as part of the Special Employment Scheme.
This excavation revealed four phases of occupation.
The earliest phase is represented by an unenclosed area (56m x 64m), which contained a
number of shallow fire pits. The central part of this earlier occupation area (38m x 40m) was
later enclosed by a ditch, which filled in relatively quickly with sand. Habitation appears to
have continued on site as refuse is found both inside the area defined by the in-filled ditch
and outside it. A number of postholes and a possible stone-built structure constitute the
structural remains from this phase of occupation. The site was later used as a Christian
cemetery (almost 70 skeletons were excavated in 1959), effectively destroying any structural
remains belonging to the main occupation phases.
About 2,000 finds were recovered from the 1959 excavation, but most were not closely
stratified. The site appears to have had a predominantly industrial function. Large quantities
of Nucella (Purpura) lapillus shells (dog-whelk) were found, which have been interpreted as
indicating that purple dye may have been extracted on site. Over 120 iron knives – most with
bone or antler handles attached – were also recovered; as well as a number of industrial iron
tools. Fifty complete, or near complete bronze pins were recorded, as well as several bronze
belt buckles and ring-brooches, and fragments of crucibles which showed evidence for
bronze-working. Some of these bronze objects were also found to have had amber, enamel,
or millefiori settings. A number of glass beads were found, but, unlike the bronzes, there was
no evidence for glass-making on site.
[No plan exists for this site].
References:
McGill, P. J. 1947. Notes on Shore Dwellers and Sandhill Settlements (Dooey,
Lettermacaward, Co. Donegal). Journal of the County Donegal Historical Society, VI, 27–31.
Ó Floinn, R. 1995. Sandhills, Silver and Shrines – Fine Metalwork of the Medieval Period from
Donegal, in W. Nolan, L. Nonayne & H. Dunlevy (eds.) Donegal: History and Society. Dublin,
Geography Publications, 85–148.
Ó Ríordáin, A. B., & Rynne, E. 1961. A settlement in the sandhills at Dooey, Co. Donegal.
Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquarians of Ireland , 91, 58–64.
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