1969:014 - RATHGALL, Rath East, Wicklow

Excavations began this season at this large multivallate hillfort, where three ramparts enclosed a stone-built central cashel. Early occupation of the site in the 3^rd and 4^th centuries AD was evidenced by masses of coarse pottery (of the type found at Freestone Hill, Co. Kilkenny), spindle-whorls, hones, glass beads, mould fragments, a bronze bracelet and a highly decorated bronze strap-mount; also by superimposed rectangular and circular houses, pits, and large hearth sites, all enclosed by an earthen bank with internal ditch. The central stone cashel was built on top of this enclosure at some later date, and may prove to be contemporary with the medieval occupation of the site, attested by finds of the 13th Century pottery and a coin of Edward II dated to  AD 1230.