EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Meath
Knowth Site M, Co. Meath
Early Medieval Settlement-Cemetery
Grid reference: N99847387 (29984/27387)
SMR No: ME019-069
Excavation Licence No: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: 2002 - 2004
Site director: G. Stout (Research)
Research excavations at Knowth Site M revealed a settlement-cemetery – enclosed by two
sub-circular ditches – dating between the sixth and tenth centuries. A third, undated, outer
enclosure was constructed potentially after the tenth century. Settlement evidence was
revealed by a platform between the inner and second enclosure ditches and a range of
artefacts, animal bone and cereal remains that were retrieved from the ditch fills. Agricultural
evidence was also detected within the enclosures. Prehistoric activity was attested to by the
presence of large quantities of un-stratified lithics. The site is situated in marshland and is
drained by a stream linked to the River Mattock. It is located immediately northeast and
down slope from the multi-period burial and settlement site at Knowth in the Boyne river
valley.
The earliest phase at Knowth Site M consisted of a series of undated linear trenches and five
pits some of which were cut by the later settlement-cemetery.
The settlement/cemetery was enclosed by two sub-circular ditches (Fig. 240). The inner
enclosure defined an area measuring 48m northwest/southeast by 40m. It was slightly raised
and therefore represented the driest part of the site. The ditch was excavated in five
locations and contained similar fills. Animal bone was present throughout and processed
cereal grains were abundant. Charcoal was also present in many of the ditch fills. Artefacts
included part of a polished stone axe, a flint side and end scraper, iron slag and a fragment
of an undecorated bone comb. A blue glass bead and a fragment of a gilt Anglo-Saxon mount
were discovered in topsoil above the ditch. Bone and charcoal from the inner enclosure ditch
produced a date between the late sixth and mid seventh century (see below for radiocarbon
dates). Evidence for an internal bank was present in two cuttings.
The inner enclosure ditch may have been further delimited by a wall and two associated
external trenches. The wall, surviving to a height of three courses, followed the edges of two
trenches. Charcoal and large amounts of charred cereal grains were present in one of the
trenches. A flint scraper was also discovered in its ditch fill. A date of A.D. 767-896 indicates
that it fell into disuse at some point during this time. The second trench was cut by the above
example. It produced a flint and an iron nail. A highly decorated Hiberno-Scandinavian bronze
strap end with interlaced decoration on both sides was located in a layer below the subsoil
and overlying the initial trench.
A final trench, located to the west of the first trench and which contained similar fills,
produced iron knife fragments. A date of A.D. 877-998 was obtained from its upper fill.
The second enclosure was oval in plan and concentric with the inner enclosure. Evidence for
an internal bank was also present in certain places. It had an external diameter of 74m by
62.5m. The ditch was situated between 9m and 10m outside the inner enclosing ditch.
Charcoal from its primary fill produced a date of A.D. 662-780. Animal bone was present
throughout and there was evidence that the ditch had been re-cut. The only find was an iron
disc.
The outer enclosure was eccentric to the two inner enclosures and consisted of two banks
with an intervening ditch. It measured 110m in diameter and both banks were over 5m wide.
Although this enclosure has not been dated it is believed to post-date the two inner
enclosures.
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