1992:051 - DUBLIN: 26-29 Castle St/20 Lord Edward St, Dublin

The excavation, which commenced in June 1992, is being carried out on behalf of Bolton Enterprises Ltd., who are funding the project. The proposed development incorporates an underground car park, the construction of which necessitated a full excavation of an area measuring 480 sq. m.

The site fronts onto both Castle St and Lord Edward St, the former of which is medieval in origin. The construction of Lord Edward St in the 1880s necessitated the levelling of a wide strip of land running east from the top of Fishamble St to the junction of Cork Hill and Dame St. This work resulted in the removal of the later medieval archaeological strata from the areas in question. The same is true of work associated with the construction of 19th-century houses with basements along the present northern line of Castle St. Therefore, the latest stratified archaeological material appears to date from the late 13th/early-14th centuries.

The excavation was divided into 3 areas within the confines of the proposed car park. These measured the following:
Area 1, 16m x 10m;
Area 2, 13m x 4.5m;
Area 3, 13m x 11m

A 3m wide strip running along both the line of Castle St and the gable wall of the adjoining property (no. 30) has been left intact for a number of reasons, primarily safety. However, this will be investigated after the completion of Area 3. To date the excavation of both Areas 1 and 2 is complete and that of Area 3 has commenced.

The latest feature on the site was a ditch which ran along the eastern side of the trench. The top of this ditch was c. 4m wide with relatively steep sides tapering to a flat base c. 1.3m in width. The depth varied from 1.6m in the south to 3.2m in the north. The fills contained artefactual material which appears to date from the 14th century, as well as a number of human skulls. Investigations to the west of this feature suggest that it was originally dug through the line of north-south property boundaries. While the ditch may be associated with the moat of Dublin Castle, preliminary studies of the soil sampled from the basal fills do not appear to indicate that it functioned as a drain.

Four main phases of domestic habitation have been identified from Areas 1 and 2. These are in the form of post and wattle structures with associated floors. However, only partial outline remains of these structures were uncovered as the entire area was heavily truncated by a substantial number of pits. These pits were associated, and were in general contemporary, with all the main phases of occupation uncovered. While the vast majority of the pits were unlined, at least 4 examples had evidence of wattle lining. Two others were lined with horizontal beams. Preliminary analysis of a number of soil samples appears to indicate that a number of the pits were used as both rubbish and/or cess pits.

A large number of finds have been recovered from the excavation to dare. These include stick pins, arrow-heads, knives, needles and combs. A number of objects manufactured from wood, bone and antler have also been recovered in addition to relatively substantial amounts of pottery, leather and, textile. An extensive environmental sampling strategy was implemented. It is hoped that this will help us to understand more fully the nature of the archaeological deposits.

The excavation was to continue until April 1993.

19 Monread Gardens, Sallins Rd., Naas, Co. Kildare