1987:39 - MOYNAGH LOUGH CRANNOG, Brittas, Meath

Excavations concentrated on the Early Historic phase of the site. It is now clear that at least two major occupation levels are represented in the excavated section of the crannog. The later of these (level Z) consists of a large round house, an open-air hearth, a bowl furnace and palisade 1. Excavation has shown that a large spread of peat was laid down as the basic constructional layer for this phase and the round house and other features were built upon it. Palisade 1 is almost certainly contemporary with this level. It is composed of roughly squared planks set into a prepared trench.

The earlier phase (level Y) consists of two round structures (probably houses), an extensive spread of metal-working activity, a number of isolated hearths, an entrance pathway, and possibly palisade 2. The basal layer of this level, like its later counterpart, is an extensive spread of redeposited peat. The entrance pathway, which sits directly on this peat, is overlain by a layer of ashes which links it with both metal-working areas 1 and 2, reflecting a major phase of metalworking activity. Between the two metal-working areas were the remains of a double-walled circular structure, probably a house. The exposed portion covered an area of 6m x 3m and it appears to have formed part of a circular structure with a diameter of about 7.5m. Traces of a second structure were present east of this but only the tips of the posts survived to indicate the former presence of a round building with a diameter of approx. 5.2m.

Among the objects recovered were crucible sherds, heating tray fragments, clay mould fragments and a lump of yellow enamel.

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