1993:057 - DUBLIN: 26-29 Castle St./Adjoining 19 Lord Edward St., Dublin

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Dublin Site name: DUBLIN: 26-29 Castle St./Adjoining 19 Lord Edward St.

Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 92E0077

Author: Martin E. Byrne

Site type: Historic town

Period/Dating: Multi-period

ITM: E 715333m, N 734051m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.344100, -6.267944

The excavation, which commenced in June 1992, continued at the site until April 1993, with funding from the developer, Bolton Enterprises Ltd. The site fronts onto both Lord Edward St. and Castle St. The northern half of the site was excavated during 1992 (Excavations 1992, 18 & 19) and the work was concentrated in the southern half of the site during 1993. This area fronted onto Castle St. and there was evidence from the excavation that this street developed during the last quarter of the 10th century.

The largest and latest archaeological feature on the site was that of a ditch running in a roughly north-south direction along the eastern edge of the trench. The depth of the ditch varied from c. 1.4m in the south to c. 2.8m in the north. It was c. 4m wide at the top, with relatively steep sides, tapering to an uneven base c. 1.3m wide. The fills of the ditch contained apparently mid-late 10th century artifactual material , as well as a number of skulls. Preliminary studies by Clare Mullins (pers. comm.) have revealed that the majority of the skulls show indications of inflicted trauma by means of edged weapons. Some also show signs of decapitation.

The foundation remains of a number of structures were unearthed during the course of the excavation, the majority of which were concentrated in the southern half of the site. The dating sequence of these buildings appears to range from the last quarter of the 10th century through to the latter half of the 13th. All were rectangular in plan with average dimensions of 8.2m x 5.5m. All were of post and wattle construction, except one, which appeared to have incorporated stave-built side walls as part of its construction. All the structures were aligned in a roughly north-south direction. All appear to have relatively identical characteristics and have been tentatively classified as Dublin House Type 1.

The width of the trench was such that it encompassed the lateral demarcation limits of one full property plot, as well as the partial remains of those adjoining it. However, because of the digging of the ditch and the relatively large number of pits, the evidence for property boundaries was relatively sparse in comparison with other similar sites.

A large number of cess- and rubbish pits was uncovered, especially in the northern half of the site. The vast majority of these were of the unlined variety and produced a large range of faunal and archaeobotanical remains. Several wattle-lined pits were also uncovered as well as two examples which were lined with horizontal timber planks. Most of the pits were associated and, in general, contemporary with the main phases of structural occupation of the site.

The excavation produced a wealth of artifactual material, which is generally similar to that recovered from other comparable sites in Dublin. However, the discovery of three silver hoards from the earliest phases of occupation is quite significant. The first hoard consisted of the fragmentary remains of two torques, the largest and most intact of which may have served as a necklet. The other two hoards consisted of Anglo-Saxon pennies. One contained 76 coins and two coin fragments, while the other contained 237 coins and five coin fragments. Preliminary work by Michael Kenny N.M.I. (pers. comm.) has indicated that the vast majority of the coins were minted during the reign of Ethelred II, an Anglo-Saxon king who reigned from 978 to 1016.

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