EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Waterford
Large amounts of antler and bone waste as well as horn cores were recovered from the late
eleventh to early twelfth century organic layers in the defensive ditches and from twelfth
century extramural dumping (Hurley 1997e, 650). Large concentrations of antler off-cuts
were uncovered in two houses house at the western end of Peter Street and could suggest
that the residents were primarily engaged in the production of combs and other antler objects
(Hurley 1997g, 898).
Bone and antler were used to make a wide variety of artefacts at Scandinavian Waterfordcombs,
casket mounts, gaming-pieces, spindle-whorls, needles, pint-beaters, pins, handles,
toggles, drinking horns, tuning pegs, a flute, a possible whistle and cut bone and antler
hollow cylinders- in Scandinavian Waterford. The bone and antler artefacts were all recovered
primarily from house floors, associated backyards and pits of twelfth- and early-thirteenthcentury
date.
INDUSTRY
Over 200 hone-stones were recovered from the Waterford excavations (McCutcheon 1997c,
410-21). They dated from the eleventh century and were used for the sharpening of cutting
tools and artefacts. The hones varied from rough blocks to well-fashioned stones pierced for
suspension. Also recovered were a small collection of rotary grindstones (McCutcheon 1997c,
410 & 421).
A collection of pebbles/pot-boilers were also recovered in the excavations, particularly from
features within houses- either accumulation occupation debris or from the floors or hearths
(McCutcheon 1997c, 405-06). A group of five was uncovered near the hearth of a mid-twelfth
century post-and-wattle house in Peter Street. It was suggested that the regular occurrence
of these artefacts in domestic contexts would support their use as pot-boilers.
Evidence for cereal cultivation is attested by a considerable quantity of quern-stones, iron
shears and a sickle blade from the various excavations (McCutcheon 1997c, 424-29). Almost
all of were rotary querns and many were decorated, one of which contained an incised cross.
An iron spade, a number of wooden rakes, pitchforks and shovels as well as five pruning
hooks dating to between the late-eleventh and late-twelfth centuries were also found. The
hooks were hafted to a shaft and used for pruning trees (Scully 1997d, 461-69; Hurley &
McCutcheon 1997b, 600).
Evidence for fishing is attested by the recovery of a collection of weights, net-sinkers and fish
hooks from the various excavations dating from the late-eleventh century (McCutcheon
1997c, 421). The fish hooks were mostly recovered from twelfth-century contexts (Scully
1997d, 461).
Four objects were tentatively identified as stone crucibles or moulds though alternatively it
was suggested that they could have also functioned as mortars or pivot stones (McCutcheon
1997c, 422). A collection of stone crucibles were also recovered on other sites such as
Garranes, Co. Cork where it was suggested that they were used for glass and enamel
manufacture. A number of late eleventh-early twelfth century decorated motif-pieces were
also uncovered in the excavations and indicate which are likely to be ‘goldsmith’s sketches
and trials in advance of casting on site or at some other location (O’Meadhra 1997, 702).
Evidence for metalworking was uncovered on the floor of a house at the eastern end of Peter
Street (mid-twelfth century). The excavation revealed four shallow pits rich in slag and
charcoal which were cut into the clay and gravel floor of the house (Scully & McCutcheon
1997, 100). Roman glass sherds have been uncovered in Scandinavian contexts in Dublin,
York and possibly two pieces from Waterford (E527) and it was suggested that they may
represent imports for the purpose of bead-making (Bourke 1997, 381). Commercial activity at
Waterford city is attested by a number of copper-alloy scales, one scale-pan and various discs
and cylinders of lead-probably used as weights (Scully 1997d, 466-68) as well as a
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