1999:275 - SWORDS: Windmill Lands, River Ward, Dublin

In October 1999 the Underwater Unit of Dúchas undertook a rescue excavation following a report from Fingal County Council that a possible human skull was protruding from a riverbank in Swords, Co. Dublin. An intra-riverine inspection verified that the human skull lay within an extensive midden that was exposed for at least 40m along the riverbank. The midden (which consisted mainly of charcoal, shells, animal bone and the human skull) had become exposed during recent flooding of the Ward Valley. Upon removal of the skull, it was apparent that the articulated remains of the skeleton were present within the midden deposit. It was therefore necessary to open a 2m-by-2m cutting to recover the remains of the skeleton. The site is in the flood-plain of the River Ward valley to the south of Swords in the townland of Windmill Lands.

The site produced a number of phases, with the upper levels being quite disturbed and containing a variety of pottery types ranging from transfer print ware and Frechen ware to medieval pottery including Leinster cooking ware and Dublin-type ware. The first undisturbed medieval phase produced both burials and domestic finds. The articulated remains of two individuals were discovered. One of the skeletons was that of a newborn infant, while the other consisted of the upper right long bones and part of the right pelvis of a mature adult. This stratum also produced animal bone remains, metal objects including iron nails, two belt-buckles and two possible socketed arrowheads, and medieval pottery.

The second phase of activity appears to have been associated with some form of nearby settlement as the stratum consisted primarily of the dumping of domestic material. A significant amount of animal bone (cattle, sheep and horse) and medieval pottery including Leinster cooking ware and Dublin-type ware was present. Other finds included mortar and slate, a large quantity of iron nails and an Edward I silver penny. No human remains were recovered from this phase of activity.

The lowest stratum consisted of the midden and the human skull that were originally visible in the riverbank. The midden rested on natural riverine deposits and consisted of large quantities of charcoal, animal bone and shell, including periwinkles, oysters, scallops, mussels and limpets. Excavation of this midden layer revealed three further burials. These individuals had been placed one on top of the other, most likely at the same time. A young female adult was uncovered slightly flexed, with pillow-stones placed around her head. This burial was orientated east-west and was placed more or less on top of an extended older female, whose skull had already been removed from the riverbank. The upper part of the older female had been placed on and had subsequently crushed an infant, who had been the primary interment. The infant remains were orientated in a north-west/south-east direction. The foot bones of another adult were retrieved from the edge of the cutting, and it is likely that the remainder of this skeleton has been long lost to the River Ward. The burials generally tended towards an east-west orientation. However, it is possible that some degree of haste was involved, as it would appear that the bodies were thrown rather than placed with any degree of time and ritual.

The pottery recovered indicates that the site dates to the late 13th and early 14th centuries. This dating is further strengthened by the presence of the Edward I silver penny, which dates to the late 1280s. The dating of the site is not unusual given its location within the medieval borough of Swords. In total, the remains of six skeletons were excavated. Post-excavation work is ongoing.

51 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2