EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Louth
Whiterath, Co. Louth
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure
Grid reference: O04199852 (304195/298525)
SMR: N/A
Excavation Licence No: 99E0485
Excavation duration: August 1999 – April 2000
Site director: C. Ó Drisceoil (Valerie J. Keeley Ltd)
Excavation at Whiterath in advance of the Dunleer–Dundalk Bypass, revealed a settlement
enclosure and possible outer enclosure ditch, a souterrain, a large pit and a possible cerealdrying
kiln. Artefactual analysis suggests the site was occupied during the ninth and tenth
centuries.
Two ditches, 41m apart to the east and west, were revealed and geophysical survey, and
later test excavation, demonstrated that they joined to form an enclosure. A third ditch ran
parallel to the western ditch and was within 1m of the souterrain (see below). Geophysical
prospection failed to reveal the remainder of this ditch. Finds from the ditches indicated
settlement and industrial activity and included ringed pins, iron knives, souterrain ware and
later medieval pottery, a polished stone axe-head, iron hooks, an iron reaping hook, iron slag
and a large quantity of animal bone. The outer ditch may be related to a later occupation
phase associated with the souterrain.
The dry-stone souterrain was an irregular U-shape in plan. It measured 28m long and was,
on average, 1m wide. Two entrances were revealed which led into a low passage that turned
sharply to a stepped feature. A hidden compartment, that contained a large quantity of
animal bone, was discovered underneath the step and a bone-bead necklace was found
outside it. A passage leading to a chamber formed the lower level. The chamber contained
two jambs which were associated with large postholes. Evidence, indicative of occupation,
was revealed on the souterrain floor and included a large quantity of animal bone, a bronze
panel with an enamel interlace decoration, souterrain ware and iron slag.
Other features at Whiterath included a large pit, which contained a broken blue glass armlet
in one of its fills, and a possible keyhole-shaped cereal-drying kiln.
(No plans were available for this site).
References:
Ó Drisceoil, C. 2000:0721. Site 2, Whiterath, Co. Louth. www.excavations.ie.
Ó Drisceoil, C. 2005:1095. Site 2, Whiterath, Co. Louth. www.excavations.ie.
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