EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Down
Rathmullan Lower, Co. Down
Early Medieval Raised Enclosure.
Grid Ref: J47753736 (34775/33736)
SMR No: DOW 044:016
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: 1978.
Site Director: C.J. Lynn (Historic Monuments Branch, Department of Finance (NI)).
The site was a man-built mound (8m high) with a faint surrounding ditch - excavation revealed it had
been approximately 6m wide, and 1.8m deep - which overlooked a coastal plain. The occupants of
the neighbouring bungalow had given notice that they intended to remove the mound as there was a
danger of collapse. Excavation revealed a number of distinct phases of occupation dating from the
early medieval period through to Anglo-Norman occupation (Fig. 100).
The earliest identified occupation phase (Phase 1) contained a series of postholes and stakeholes
(Fig. 101) which, in association with the curvilinear drip-gullies, were interpreted as the remains of
one or more wooden or wattle-built roundhouses. It was not possible to identify whether this
settlement was enclosed by an earthwork or fence at this time. An early date (mid-fifth to midseventh
century) was obtained from charcoal in the hearth of one of the houses, and this date
coincides with the sixth- to mid-seventh century date suggested by the discovery of two sherds of
imported E-ware in the occupation layer.
The primary occupation phase was then buried under a 0.6m layer of dumped topsoil. This soil dump
appears to have been used as a platform on which a wattle-walled roundhouse (approximately 8m in
diameter) was constructed (Fig. 102). The Phase 2 roundhouse was built almost directly over the
location of the earlier roundhouse, perhaps indicating continuity of settlement.
The site was remodelled again and there is evidence for the construction of a structure of
rectangular-plan structure with stone-footings. It seems probable that this structure was built in
association with the souterrain which was constructed at this time. Two radiocarbon dates from this
phase (UB-2527 and UB-2525) suggest occupation in the ninth/tenth centuries.
The Phase 3 structures were later covered by an enigmatic spread of boulders, which may represent
the footings for rectangular-shaped clay buildings. This phase is unlikely to have ended earlier than
the eleventh century, and may indeed belong wholly, or partly, to the twelfth century.
The site was raised by 2m c. A.D. 1200 when it was transformed into an Anglo-Norman motte, and
was later increased in height by a further metre.
Souterrain ware dominated the pottery finds from the early medieval site, with the sole exception of
the two sherds of E-ware from the Phase 1 occupation. A number of quern-stones (probably of
Mourne granite) were uncovered from Phase 2; two mill stones (of Scrabo sandstone) were also
recovered, though these would appear to have been associated with the later motte phase. Large
numbers of iron objects (mainly nails) and a number of copper alloy objects (mainly clothing pins)
were also found in the various Early Medieval occupation layers.
The faunal record from Rathmullan produced some rather atypical results. The percentages of major
domesticates from the various early medieval phases are as follows (minimum numbers of individuals
included in bold):
Phase 1: Cattle (41.4; 9); Pig (9.6; 4); Sheep (42.7; 12);
Phase 2: Cattle (56; 20); Pig (23; 34); Sheep (16; 11);
Phase 3 – Souterrain: Cattle (42.4); Pig (27.1); Sheep (21.5);
Phase 3/4: Cattle (51; 8); Pig (30; 16); Sheep (9; 4).
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