County: Meath Site name: KNOWTH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 19:30 Licence number: E000070
Author: George Eogan and Helen Roche, Dept. of Archaeology, University College Dublin
Site type: Megalithic tomb - passage tomb and Settlement cluster
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 699429m, N 773517m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.701880, -6.494157
This year's work was concentrated in the south-eastern area of the site, including the Eastern Tomb. Four main archaeological phases were investigated - (1a) Passage Tomb Settlement, (1b) Passage Tomb art - Eastern Tomb, (1c) Passage Tomb construction - Site 2; (2) Late Neolithic Wooden Structure; (3) Early Christian Settlement and (4) Post-medieval settlement.
(1a) Passage Tomb Settlement
Further evidence for passage tomb habitation came to light in the area of the East Tomb Passage. This additional material was found to the north and to the south of the passage, approximately 25m west from the line of the kerbs, at the entrance to the Eastern Passage. The evidence was revealed after the removal of portion of the core of the cairn on either side of the Eastern Passage. A thin layer of black, charcoal-rich habitation debris contained two hearths, an ash spread and 32 stakeholes. Finds consisted of a few potsherd fragments and flint pieces. Due to the limited area available for excavation on both sides of the passage, a complete house plan was not exposed.
(1b) Passage Tomb Art
A comprehensive evaluation of the descriptions, illustrations and the photographic record of the megalithic art within the eastern passage and chamber was carried out this year. Unrecorded art was found on Orthostats 1, 2, 11, 25, 31, 45, 46, 65, 69 and 92, which were described, drawn and photographed. A detailed study of the nature of the stones was also made, as in the type of stone used, whether the stones were quarried or not and if trimming or dressing of stones was carried out.
(1c) Site 2
In conjunction with the conservation programme a final examination of this satellite tomb was carried out. This mainly involved the replacement of kerbstones which had been disturbed and removed, most likely during Early Christian and Medieval times, as several kerbstones were found within nearby ditches and drains dating to these periods. It would appear that the original number of kerbstones would have numbered 77. Only one (Kerb 28) was found to be decorated, which consists of a single circle on the outer face. In the chamber region of the tomb another structural stone was found buried in a large pit: on removal it was discovered that it was decorated on one side, mainly with circular motifs and dispersed pocking.
(2) Late Neolithic wooden structure
The excavation of this feature, located in the area in front of the Eastern Tomb (Area 4, Squares 81, 82, 83, 98, 99 and 100) was completed this year. This involved the completion of the excavation of pits already discovered which included half-sectioning, drawing and sampling, as well as the entire excavation of pits that came to light this year. A further three post-pits were discovered, two in the interior of the circle and one on the outside of the main circle, south of the entrance. Pottery, flint, a stone axe-head, rounded stones and both burnt and unburnt animal bones were found within the pits. At this final stage the structure now measures 9.11m x 8.1m in external dimensions and is defined by a series of 33 post-pits which would have held 35 upright wooden posts.
(3) Early Christian Settlement
As a result of the work carried out on Site 2, the excavation of the circular ditch which surrounds the tomb was completed (Area 9, Squares 2–4, 10–12 and 19–20). This substantial ditch measures 22.5m in diameter from east to west, it varied slightly in width at the mouth from 3.8m to 2.6m and averaged 1.6m in depth. Its function has not been resolved. Artefacts found within the fill are few, mainly found in the upper levels of fill, and because of their mixed nature, being both post-medieval or modern, they do not help to clarify the situation. However, the presence of 24 kerbstones from Site 2, within the fill, as a rule near the base of the ditch, indicates that the tomb pre-dates the ditch.
(4) Post-medieval settlement
In Area 9, Squares 11, 12, 20, 21 and 29, the remains of three adjoining stone-built structures came to light. All were rectangular, the largest measuring 9.5m by 2.4m externally, being on the north side. The other two adjoined each other in a linear fashion, measured 8m x 6.2m and 3.4m x 3.8m respectively. As they were close to the previously excavated rectangular 17th-century dwelling house, they may be contemporary with it. It is possible that the two smaller structures served as out-houses. No in situ artefacts were found in association with the three new structures.
Click on the link below for the Royal Irish Academy's online resource for Knowth Excavations:
