1993:152 - AGHADEGNAN RINGFORT, Templemichael, Longford

This season was the second season of work at Aghadegnan Ringfort, Longford, the first having taken place in 1991 (Excavations 1991, 32). Its purpose was the complete excavation of the north half of the ringfort planned for destruction by the new by-pass route. Excavation took place from April to June.

The ringfort had been partly levelled in the 19th century and the interior had been almost completely destroyed by cultivation while in most areas, the ditch had been incorporated into field drains. However, a great deal of information came from the preserved areas of the site, particularly under the bank as well as the ditch by the entrance way.

Under the bank was found a pre-fort palisade trench. This was superimposed by ironworking shortly before the bank was built. Two calibrated C14 determinations from this ironworking layer along with another from bone, from the lowest level of the bank material, suggest that the ringfort was built in the early-mid 7th century, which is very relevant to our study of ringforts.

The pre-fort palisade trench cut through circular huts indicating that occupation pre-dating the palisade enclosure had taken place. The charcoal from a posthole of one of these huts is C14 dated to around the 5th/6th century AD, which also helps date the palisade enclosure trench.

A wooden structure for a revetment was found along each side of the ditch by the entrance way, while, at the entrance causeway to the ringfort, the pre-fort palisade trench had been re-used as part of a multiple gateway system. Circular houses were found both in the interior of the ringfort and under the bank. There were very few finds; a bronze stick pin of uncertain date; part of a possible iron ringhead pin; a quern fragment and a loom weight.

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