EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Dublin
Fig. 111: Plan of ninth-century Dublin (after Halpin 2005, 103).
The archaeological settlement evidence at Exchange Street Upper/Parliament Street and Temple Bar
West demonstrates that Scandinavians had settled this area from the mid ninth century and hints
strongly for the presence of the longphort close by. The evidence was further strengthened by the
discovery of five Scandinavian warrior burials with grave goods at Ship Street Great and South Great
George’s Street outside the town walls which were dated to the late seventh and late ninth century
(Simpson 2005). Occupation evidence was also identified at South Great George’s Street that both
pre- and post-dated the burials. The initial settlement activity consisted of a series of posts, a later
bank, drainage ditches, deposits of shell, animal bone and charcoal fragments and artefacts including
iron nails, a drop-bearded axe and part of an iron shears. Occupation also occurred on the eastern
part of the site and included refuse pits, open hearths, postholes, possible cultivation furrows, seeds
and burnt animal bone (Simpson 2005, 36–7). A later large rectangular house with two building
phases was also revealed and was dated to the later ninth century (see below).
Simpson (2005, 56–9) proposes that the South Great George’s Street site may represent the southern
part of the longphort site. She bases this on its strategic location at the southern edge of the ‘Black
Pool’ (Duiblinn) and its close proximity to the Poddle and the presence of the early potentially
defensive palisade and bank on the eastern side of the inlet. The site appears to have been
established prior to the settlement at Exchange Street Upper/Parliament Street and Temple Bar West
and may represent the earliest Scandinavian occupation in Dublin related to the first raids in the area.
Evidence for continual occupation – both prior to, and after, the mid ninth century – also makes it a
strong candidate for an early Scandinavian raiding base and settlement.
Tenth Century (Fig. 112)
The tenth-century town of Dublin developed from its inception during the mid ninth century and
expanded to the west and south. The most eastern part of mid ninth century settlement was
abandoned and replaced by an industrial area while the western part of the excavated area at Essex
Street West and Exchange Street Upper witnessed an intensification of settlement. Approximately at
the same time, and directly to the west, Fishamble Street and Wood Quay was developing (Simpson
211