EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Meath
bone and finds were few. The final re-cut again contained only a few artefacts and animal
bone in some contexts. Charred seeds were also present.
A multi-phase rectangular enclosure (Enclosure 4), measuring 40m by 24m, was annexed
onto Enclosure 2 and continued in use throughout the D-shaped enclosure’s (Enclosure 3)
lifetime. Charred seeds and animal bone was present in the ditch fills. These were also
discovered in the succeeding ditch re-cut as well as a copper alloy pin shaft and a needle. A
final re-cut revealed animal bone, charcoal, charred seeds, worked bone and a copper alloy
ringed pin.
A small sub-circular enclosure (Enclosure 5) – 18m in diameter – was located to the east of
the above enclosures and enclosed a hearth and a kiln. The ditch fill included small quantities
of charred cereal and animal bone.
A large multi-phase rectangular enclosure was located to the north of Enclosures 1-5 within
the River Boyne floodplain (Enclosure 6). A 2m causewayed entrance was located on its
western side. The ditch was dug in the seventh century and very few finds were associated
with this phase. Small quantities of animal bone, charred seeds, snail shell and charcoal were
located within the first ditch re-cut. Artefacts included flint, an iron knife, fragments of iron
objects and a copper alloy loop-headed pin shaft. Again, artefacts were scarce related to the
final re-cut. A drain connected this with Enclosure 4. This large enclosure may have
functioned as a floodplain-enriched meadow for cattle during the summer.
A shallow, badly preserved enclosure ditch was recorded for a short distance along the
eastern limit of excavation (Enclosure 7). However, the geophysical survey demonstrated that
it formed an enclosure broadly similar in size and form to Enclosure 4 which suggests they
were contemporary. Its single fill contained small quantities of animal bone.
An irregular-shaped enclosure (Enclosure 8; 20m by 22m) was located to the south of
Enclosure 3. Animal bone, charcoal and charred grain were recovered in varying quantities
and an iron knife was the only artefact retrieved. A small enclosure was appended to its
western edge (Enclosure 9).
Two poorly preserved structures were identified at Dowdstown 2. The first, (Structure A), was
possibly square, or rectangular, and survived to a maximum length of 10m. This post-built
structure was surrounded by a partially extant drip gully and may have been 6m wide. It was
cut by Enclosure 2 and, therefore, predated it. Charred barley grain from one of its postholes
was dated to A.D. 553-658 indicating that it was contemporary with Enclosure 1. The
structure may have served as a barn or grain store because charred grain was recovered
from a number of associated deposits.
A collection of 11 postholes were clustered together internally within Enclosure 1 but they did
not form a recognisable structural plan. One posthole was dated to A.D. 689-899 and it is
possible that more than one building is represented by these features. The radiocarbon date
suggests that a structure was contemporary with Enclosure 3.
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