1972:071 - KNOWTH, Meath

During the 1972 season work was continued on the Early Christian and Norman Settlements. During the Early Christian period it appears that dwelling houses stood on the top of this large mound. During the initial stages this settlement was protected by two penannular ditches. One was at the base of the mound; the other at the top. A gap in these ditches on the southwest side provided an entrance. Interesting information about detailed aspects of the settlement came to light. An area where iron was smelted was found. At another point bronze casting and enamel-working was carried out and some of the crucibles and heating trays used by the craftsmen survived. Another souterrain was also discovered. This consisted of a curved passage leading into a beehive-shaped chamber. The excavation produced a number of isolated finds. These include bronze stick and ring-headed pins, penannular brooches, including an interesting example with zoomorphic terminals and enamel settings, bone pins, parts of bone combs and iron knives. The structural remains individual finds clearly demonstrate that Knowth was a prominent and important settlement site during the Early Christian period. It was the residence of a prosperous and self-sufficient family that farmed the neighbouring lands and who had at its disposal skilled craftsmen in iron, bronze, bone, stone and enamel-working.

The Norman Settlement, on the summit of the large mound, also produced new features. The principal one was the foundations of a rectangular stone building that measured approximately 28 x 36m externally. A number of worked stones indicates that this must have been a fairly substantial structure. In the main finds consisted of glazed pottery, most of this was native but some was imported from France.

Click on the link below for  the Royal Irish Academy's online resource for Knowth Excavations:

Everything you wanted to know about Knowth in six volumes