2016:485 - Waterford Courthouse, Catherine Street, Waterford City., Waterford

Testing took place in advance of developement in the Waterford Courthouse. The excavation uncovered evidence of a medieval burial ground that, given the recorded history of the site, can be associated with St Catherine’s Abbey. There is evidence from two multiple occupancy grave pits that burial of plague victims may have taken place here.

The Phase I excavation took place within the north-west corner of the development site. During the excavations, 38 human burials, along with several features containing disarticulated human remains (charnel pits) were excavated. In addition to the burials, structural remains, pit features and archaeological deposits were identified. There were modern service trenches and structural foundation cuts throughout the site, which resulted in a great deal of disturbance of the underlying archaeological deposits and burials.

Archaeological material was also identified in areas of the development site that will not be negatively impacted by the proposed development works. As such these archaeological features and deposits have been retained in situ, with their location recorded and a detailed description made including scaled drawings. 

A possible kiln was situated in the south-east of the site. A sub-circular feature, some of the fills of which were charcoal-rich; it included several large stones which may have been structural. However, no evidence was found of in situ burning or a flue extending beyond the excavation.

The artefact assemblage from the excavation consists of a number of items consistent with excavations within graveyards, namely shroud pins, nails and personal items. Two finds were particularly noteworthy; a silver Hiberno-Norse coin (16E0430:97) of probable 11th-century date, and a c.1543–1635 Nuremberg token or jetton (16E0430:95).