1989:072 - MOYNAGH LOUGH CRANNÓG, Brittas, Meath

Excavation focused on a section of the northern perimeter which revealed the presence of two palisades, one constructed of posts, the other of planks. Stratigraphically the post palisade was later than the plank palisade and some of the posts had been hammered in against the planks. The plank palisade itself had been inserted into a trench and was contemporary with two round houses (see Excavations 1988: 31, Phase Y). The occupation layer of the larger round house (excavated during previous seasons) produced over 400 artefacts, including a bronze brooch-pin, bronze ringed pins, bone combs, glass beads and jet bracelet fragments. Also on this level was a small bowl furnace and some crucibles. The palisade planks had been roughly finished off with an adze and clear cutmarks were visible. Three of the planks were removed for dendrochronological dating and, after examination by David Brown of Queen's University Belfast, these produced an estimated felling date of AD748, providing a terminus post quem for this level.The date also provides a terminus ante quem for a great spread of metalworking evidence (see Excavations 1988: 30, Phase X). The plank palisade was inserted into the layers associated with this metalworking activity which had produced a variety of objects including crucibles, heating trays and motif pieces found in association with a bowl furnace. In addition, over 600 clay moulds for casting objects which included penannular brooches and highly decorated mounts were recovered (see Susan Youngs (ed.) The Work of Angels, London 1989, 178-83). In view of the fact that this metalworking evidence dates to the generation of activity which immediately preceded the construction of the plank palisade, it may accordingly be dated to c. AD720-748.

The excavation of the habitation layers below the phase of metalworking activity was also continued. Part of the foundations of a post-and-wattle house, apparently of circular plan, with an entrance on the east, came to light. Among the finds within it was a bronze penannular brooch with bird's-head terminals. Elsewhere, on the same level, a hearth within a rectangular setting was exposed and this also appears to lie within the foundations of another house.The excavations were funded by the Office of Public Works on the recommendation of the National Committee for Archaeology of the Royal Irish Academy.

86 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2