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EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

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Westmeath<br />

Industry and craft was abundant at Kilpatrick. Both iron smelting and smithing was practised<br />

as identified in the southern sector of the oval enclosure. A forging area consisted of a<br />

shallow heat-scorched oval-shaped depression that was surrounded by a trampled stone<br />

surface containing large quantities of iron residues. <strong>The</strong> recovery of tuyères further<br />

substantiates evidence for iron smithing at Kilpatrick. Close-by were two smelting furnaces,<br />

one of which contained an intact furnace bottom and iron slag. <strong>The</strong> metallurgical features lay<br />

south of the circular structure (above) but it is unclear if they were contemporary. Nonferrous<br />

metallurgy is indicated by the presence of mould and crucible fragments. One almost<br />

complete clay mould was of a type used for casting bronze ring-headed pins. It seems that<br />

Kilpatrick was therefore a high-status site that manufactured copper-alloy pins and probably<br />

brooches while iron objects (such as knives, tools etc) were also made.<br />

Evidence for crafts was evident from the artefactual assemblage at Kilpatrick. Seventeen iron<br />

objects were identified as tools or probable examples including gouges or chisels, punches,<br />

nails and knives. Worked antler and bone was present suggesting that these materials were<br />

shaped on-site.<br />

Finally, the presence of E ware indicates that the imported pottery arrived on site through a<br />

network of trade and exchange with other high-status sites in the region and Brega further<br />

east. This indicates a sixth- to mid-seventh-century date for the primary use of the site as it<br />

was found in association with the circular structure that pre-dated the cultivation furrows.<br />

<strong>The</strong> structure was stratigraphically one of the earliest features on site but earlier activity<br />

cannot be discounted. Unfortunately, no radiocarbon dates are available. A small number of<br />

artefacts suggest the site was used in the tenth and eleventh centuries but it is not certain if<br />

it was continually occupied or re-used at this time. Later medieval and post medieval phases<br />

were also identified.<br />

References<br />

Swan, D.L. 1973:0036. Kilpatric (td. Corbetstown), Co. Westmeath, ecclesiastical enclosure.<br />

www.excavations.ie.<br />

Swan, D.L. 1975:0036. Killucan (Kilpatrick), Co. Westmeath, religious enclosure.<br />

www.excavations.ie.<br />

Swan, D.L. 1976 Excavations at Kilpatrick Churchyard, Killucan, Co. Westmeath, July/August<br />

1973 and 1975. Ríocht na Mídhe, 6(2), 89–96.<br />

Swan, D.L. 1980/84:0199. Corbetstown (Kilpatrick), Co. Westmeath, early ecclesiastical site.<br />

www.excavations.ie.<br />

Swan, D.L. 1994/1995 Excavations at Kilpatrick, Killucan, Co. Westmeath, evidence for bone,<br />

antler and iron working. Ríocht na Mídhe, 9(1), 1–21.<br />

645

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