EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Dublin
‘Butterfield’, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin
Early Medieval Settlement-Cemetery
Grid reference: O13412842 (313413 228421)
SMR: DU022-038
Excavation Licence No: 97E0140
Excavation duration: May – June 1997; August – September 1997
Site director: J. Carroll (J. Carroll and Co. Ltd.)
Excavations – in advance of the expansion of the Old Orchard pub in Rathfarnham – revealed a
settlement-cemetery enclosure. Settlement and industrial activity was evident from the finds within
the enclosing ditch and at least 233 burials were revealed within the enclosure. Only a small area of
the site was excavated and radiocarbon dates are awaited but Butterfield probably represents a
secular early medieval settlement and burial enclosure.
The first phase of activity at Butterfield related to settlement and industry and was associated with
the digging of the inner enclosure ditch. The ditch was identified on both the north and south sides of
the excavated area which suggests that there was an enclosure. Further evidence for an enclosure
was identified on the first edition OS map which shows that the site was situated within a curvilinear
area formed by a bend in the old road, at Butterfield Avenue, and the surrounding field boundaries.
Indicators of habitation included large quantities of animal bone, a penannular brooch terminal, iron
knives and a pig fibula pin within the ditch fills. Both iron and copper slag, and vitrified clay were also
recovered from the ditch which indicates that ferrous and non-ferrous metalworking occurred at, or
near, the site. Quantities of iron slag were also found on the south side of the site at the edge of
ditch.
A cemetery was located within the enclosure and contained at least 233 burials. Only a small area
was excavated and there were approximately three layers of burials which overlapped each other.
‘Ear muffs’ were present in some graves and all the burials were extended inhumations and
orientated west-east. Carroll has assigned the cemetery to Phase II although there is no stratigraphic
information in the excavation bulletin to suggest this. It is possible that the site originated as a burial
ground and then incorporated settlement activity. As the dimensions of the enclosure are not given, it
is difficult to determine if Butterfield was an ecclesiastical or secular site. No historical accounts of a
church are recorded so perhaps the latter option is more plausible.
The final phase incorporated the digging of a second ditch although its relationship to the first ditch is
unclear. Later medieval activity was recorded in the site’s northern area and included a possible
structure and a range of twelfth- and thirteenth-century finds.
(No plans were available for this site).
Reference:
Carroll, J. 1997:184. The Old Orchard Inn, Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham. www.excavations.ie.
Internet reference:
http://www.judithcarrollandco.ie/project.php?pid=23
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