EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Dublin
Cherrywood (Site 18), Co. Dublin
1. Early Medieval Cemetery
2. Early Medieval Enclosed Scandinavian Settlement
Grid reference: O24252322 (32425/22322)
SMR: N/A
Excavation Licence No: 99E0523
Excavation duration: November 1998 – September 1999
Site director: J. Ó Néill (Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd.)
Excavations at Cherrywood revealed a multi-phase enclosure which was utilised initially as a
cemetery, during approximately the sixth and seventh centuries, before the site was settled between
the eighth and twelfth centuries. The site was situated on a low hill and the hill’s southern end
overlooks the Loughlinstown River, while the confluence of the Loughlinstown and Shanganagh Rivers
lies close-by to the east. The site was only 2km from Killiney Bay.
The archaeological activity was enclosed within an oval enclosure that measured 42m by 38m. The
enclosing ditch was up to 3m wide and 1.6m deep. During the site’s initial use, the enclosure ditch
was continuous – possibly accessed by a temporary bridge – whereas two sections were backfilled to
leave opposing entrances at the west and east during its later phase. No evidence for a bank
survived. The only finds within the basal ditch fills were iron fragments, a copper-alloy fragment, an
iron knife and a flint flake. Finds from the middle and upper ditch fills included an iron object, iron
nails, iron slag, an amber bead and a single sided bone comb. The presence of Dublin-type ware in
the top deposit demonstrates that the ditch had filled-in by the thirteenth or fourteenth century. A
sherd of Late Roman Amphora (B ware) was recovered from the topsoil and probably relates to the
primary use of the site.
1. Early Medieval Cemetery
The enclosure at Cherrywood was initially constructed to enclose a cemetery which was in use during
the sixth and seventh centuries (Fig. 106). Thirty eight burials were revealed and all were extended
inhumations in earth-cut graves. Twenty two were adults and 16 were sub-adults. Ear muffs were
common to many graves and the majority were laid out in rows, and sometimes evenly spaced, which
suggests the former presence of grave markers. The only grave goods were two buckles (one has
been dated to the sixth or seventh century), a fragment of an iron pin and an iron fragment. This
suggests that some of the interred were clothed.
2. Enclosed Scandinavian Settlement
A number of features, including structures (represented by stake and postholes), a cereal-drying kiln
and a pit, post-dated the use of the cemetery. Four structures were revealed within the enclosure.
Structure 4, the earliest building, was sunken and was located in the south-western part of the
enclosure (Fig. 107). It was represented by an oval area measuring 2.75m by 1.9m. The structure
was surrounded by a U-shaped setting of stake and postholes that was open to the east. A bone
needle was recovered from a charcoal-rich central area and animal bone associated with the building
was dated to A.D. 680-890.
Structure 1 post-dated Structure 4. It was trapezoidal in plan and measured 17.5m in length and was
between 5.75m and 6.8m wide. It appeared to have load-baring posts along the outer walls and a
small number of internal stake and postholes indicated three transverse internal divisions. A hearth
was situated off-centre at the southern end and a centrally-perforated piece of decorated bone
(possibly a spindle-whorl, loom-weight or gaming piece) was found in its fill. The only other find was
represented by fragments of a decorated bone comb from a posthole.
Structures 2 and 3 were potentially contemporary and they were constructed after Structures 4 and 1
(Fig. 2). Structure 1 was truncated by Structure 2 and the latter was clearly divided into three and
was slightly sunken. The area defined by the building measured 8.15m by 5.4m and an entrance was
located at the north. The doorway was cobbled and it appears that the roof was supported by internal
posts but evidence for a hearth or flooring had been ploughed away. A deposit overlying the cobbled
doorway contained a ringed pin, a bone comb fragment, a lignite bracelet fragment and various
fragments of bronze and iron. Animal bone from this deposit was dated to A.D. 1020-1230.
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