1997:184 - THE OLD ORCHARD INN, Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin

In April 1997, workmen uncovered human skeletons at the site of the Old Orchard public house, Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, during development at the site. The finds were reported to the National Monuments Service, who recommended immediate investigation. Though there was no record of the site in the SMR Office, there had already been a report to the National Museum of a find of skeletons there in 1950, but the find was dismissed as being of little archaeological interest.

There is no historical reference to the area. However, the first edition OS 6-inch sheet shows that the site is situated within a curvilinear area formed by a bend in the old road, Butterfield Avenue, and the surrounding field boundaries. Such curvilinear road and field systems are now recognised as indicators of ecclesiastical enclosures.

Trial-trenching on the site took place in May 1997 to establish the extent of the remains. In May–June and August–September 1997 full excavation took place in the areas to be developed. There were three phases of archaeological activity, for which C14 dates are still awaited. An early medieval phase of occupation was followed by the use of the site for burial. The site was subsequently used again for occupation in perhaps the 12th or 13th century. It is suggested that both phases of occupation, Phases 1 and 3, were probably ecclesiastical.

Phase 1
The Phase 1 palisade trench was picked up on both the north and south sides of the excavated area, suggesting that there was an enclosure.

Copper and iron slag and vitrified clay found in the trench on both sides suggest metalworking. A great deal of animal bone, a penannular brooch terminal, iron knives and a 'pig fibula' pin were found in the palisade trench, suggesting occupation of a domestic nature. Piles of iron slag waste were found on the south side of the site at the edge of the palisade trench and related to it.

Phase 2
After use for settlement, the site was used for burial. The burial clearly related to the Phase 1 boundary enclosure, which suggests that the site was originally ecclesiastical.

The remains of at least 200 individuals were found in the small area investigated. The burials were extremely shallow and compressed. Some burials came to light at a depth of only 0.4m below ground level, but most were found at around 0.6–0.7m, while the maximum depth of burial was 1.2m below ground level. Typically, most burial ceased at a depth of around 0.9–1m. There was therefore on average about 0.3m of burial containing three layers of superimposed or overlapping skeletons.

Many of the burials had stone features holding their heads in place, usually stones to either side of the head. In most cases, these stones were narrow, placed ear-muff fashion. Sometimes three or more stones or slabs were used. All the features of the burials-the east-west orientation; the shallowness of the burials; the fact that the burials related to an enclosure; the complete lack of any post-medieval features or finds such as shroud pins; the presence of stone 'ear-muff' features relating to a great many of the burials-strongly suggest that the burials were medieval in date. The relationship of burials to each other and the comparative lack of disturbance of the compressed burials within the enclosure also suggest that the burials were all more or less contemporary (i.e. within a number of consecutive generations). There is no evidence of burials post-dating Phase 3.

Phase 3
The third phase of use of the site was represented by a second palisade trench, with a trench running at right angles towards, possibly, an entrance feature. On the north side of the site, stone walls, probably related to a building, came to light, associated with a large hearth on the north side of the site close to the stone structure. Two patches of a stony habitation layer containing charcoal and medieval pottery overlay the burials, along with several post-holes which cut through them. A great deal of Leinster cooking ware of 12th–13th-century date (60 sherds) was associated with these features. Other finds from this phase include an iron socketed spearhead, an iron spur and a probable harness mount. All these features and finds show that occupation took place on the site some time around the late 12th/13th century or perhaps later.

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