2007:1861 - WOODSTOWN (6), Waterford

This report details the results of a series of investigations undertaken in fulfilment of the Woodstown 6 supplementary research project, which was carried out on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from February to May 2007. Part of this proposal called for small-scale, limited archaeological excavations and geophysical work to help elucidate the nature, extent and date of the site. In this work special emphasis was to be placed on defining the eastern extent of the site and clarifying the existence of at least one house site there. In order to fulfil this brief a total of 12 cuttings were excavated over known or suspected archaeological features.

Cutting 1 [TA 1]
Cutting 1 was specifically positioned to investigate a possible subrectangular feature that had been identified during the 2007 TAG geophysical survey of the site. A structure of some kind was discovered during the excavation, but, while a provisional analysis of finds would indicate that it dates from the Viking Age (9th–10th century), its domestic character is open to debate.

The slot-trenches that define the subrectangular structure appear to have been constructed in two phases. The first phase is represented by the U-shaped slot-trench F2531, subsequently filled with F2529, F2530, F2586, F2587 and F2576. Seventy finds were recovered from F2529, including a large number of crucible fragments and two rotary sharpening or polishing stone fragments. Thirty-four finds were recovered from F2530, including two hone stones, crucible fragments and two iron blade fragments. Five finds were recovered from F2586, including four crucible fragments, and fourteen were recovered from F2587, including an intact example of a rotary sharpening or polishing stone, crucible fragments and a disc-shaped lead weight. This material would indicate that industrial activity of some kind was taking place in the immediate vicinity, and may well indicate that this structure had an industrial function from the outset. The second phase is represented by the slot-trench F2647, which cut the primary slot-trench F2531 around most of its circumference and appears to have shortened the length of the enclosed area on its southern side. Its dark-brown/black clay fill produced 75 finds, including crucible fragments, a navy-blue glass bead, a possible stone (thatch?) weight, a possible iron knife fragment, a hone stone and a possible ‘spud’ stone that may mark an entranceway in the west wall of the structure.

Within the area delineated by the slot-trenches, a metalled surface (F2505) was identified immediately inside the possible entranceway (above), and there were two other floor surfaces (F2503 and F2611). Eleven finds including a clear glass bead and two crucible fragments were recovered from F2503, again suggesting industrial activity. In addition, several spreads were identified. Although the latter contained some charcoal and burnt clay, there was no clear evidence either for a domestic hearth or industrial kiln/oven within the delineated area. It remains possible that here, as elsewhere on site, the main habitation levels have been destroyed by ploughing, and all of these layers represent consolidation deposits below these (lost) occupation surfaces. The remarkable depth of the primary slot-trench (up to 0.69m) may, however, militate against this interpretation, as may the surviving deposits from outside the structure. Two of these external metalled surfaces may have functioned as pathways leading to additional structures to the west, for which geophysical results provide some evidence. Three spreads exposed to the east of the structure were not continuations of the internal floor surface F2503, but it is not certain if these external deposits were cut by the slot-trench (i.e. pre-date it) or abutted the associated structure (i.e. post-date it), representing a small dumping area beside it.

In addition to the assemblage from the slot-trenches themselves, the quantity and character of the finds from Cutting 1, notably the crucibles, hone stones, tuyère fragment and rotary sharpening or polishing stones, indicate that this structure had an industrial rather than a domestic function. In particular, a number of glass beads, droplets and slag were recovered, and it seems clear that glass was being worked in the immediate area, and probably within the structure itself.

Cutting 2 [TA 2]
Fourteen parallel linear features were exposed in this trench and were clearly plough furrows, features which have also been found in other parts of Woodstown 6, and which demonstrate that the area was used for tillage at some point in the past. The more substantial linear features identified during the TAG geophysical survey proved to be field drains, constructed by placing a series of circular clay pipes at the base of a linear cut feature surrounded by coke and then covered with redeposited material. A maker’s stamp indicates that these pipes were made in Arklow and confirms their modern date. It seems clear that other parallel linear features in the area that were identified during geophysical analysis are also modern field drains, carrying excess water to the nearby field boundary ditch. All finds from this cutting were of post-medieval date and it is assumed that the agricultural furrows, like those uncovered elsewhere at this site, are of post-medieval date.

Cutting 3 [TA 3]
The ditch exposed within this cutting corresponds to the D-shaped feature identified during geophysical survey of Field 23. While reasonably wide, the ditch is comparatively shallow. The silty clay fill at its base may indicate that it had partially silted up before backfilling. Although nothing was recovered from this feature which might provide a date, the apparent correspondence between its terminals and the main boundary ditch revealed by geophysical survey suggests that it must have been constructed while the latter feature was at least visible at surface level. Unfortunately, the precise chronological relationship between this feature and the main enclosure remains unresolved. Although both the Earthsound and TAG geophysical surveys proposed that the enclosure was a focus for industrial activity – indeed the later survey identified a possible hearth within it – nothing was discovered within the trench which would support this interpretation. If industrial activity took place in the area, no waste material was dumped in this section of the ditch. At the same time, the ditch is too shallow to have had a defensive function.

Cutting 4 [TA 4]
Although this trench was positioned on the site of a geophysical anomaly that seemed to display a definite right angle, no single feature with this characteristic was identified. The effect may have been created by the crossing of one or more furrows, orientated north-east/south-west, by one of the field drains. Although no stratified finds were discovered, it seems clear that the field drains are of post-medieval date, while the furrows provide further evidence for tillage in this area. Interestingly, the tree bole does not seem to correspond to any 19th-century field boundary, and may represent an isolated tree or bush. In the excavator’s opinion, all of these features are of post-medieval/modern origin.

Cutting 5 [TA 5]
Although this trench targeted a geophysical anomaly some distance outside the Viking Age enclosure, the only features exposed were a field drain and a system of furrows. Interestingly, some of the sixteen furrows identified run at right angles to the others, and may indicate two distinct phases of agricultural activity in the area. The geophysical anomaly may correspond to an area of sand and gravel within the natural, which was partially cut by the field drain. Although no secure dates are available, it is presumed that all of these features are of post-medieval/modern date.

Cutting 6 [TA 6]
The largest feature identified in this cutting was the north–south ditch. This appears to correspond to a field boundary shown on the first-edition (1842) 6-inch OS sheet for the area, a date that may be confirmed by the two iron fragments recovered from its fill. The tree bole may also have formed part of this boundary, which is presumably of post-medieval/modern date. The furrows presumably date from the same period and provide further evidence of tillage in this area.

Cutting 7 [TA 7]
The geophysical anomaly that this trench investigated proved to be a 0.1m-thick deposit of burnt material with frequent heat-shattered stones that extended beyond all four baulks and rested directly on top of natural deposits. Although this material resembles that associated with a ‘burnt mound’, very similar material was discovered in the south-western part of Field 22, and proved to be Viking Age industrial waste, perhaps associated with the activity identified in the nearby cutting 11 [TA11].

Cutting 8 [TA 8]
Excavation has demonstrated that the geophysical anomaly identified in this area was generated by a large quantity of barbed wire, assorted machinery parts and other modern metal debris, which had presumably been dumped at the junction of two field boundaries shown on the first-edition OS sheet (1842) of the area. A tree bole corresponding to one of these boundaries was exposed in the southern part of the trench, with the large number of wooden roots confirming its comparatively recent destruction. The only Viking Age find from this cutting—a fragment of rotary sharpening or polishing stone—came from the topsoil and had clearly been disturbed by ploughing. In the excavator’s opinion, all of these features are of post-medieval or modern date.

Cutting 9 [TA 9]
Although a geophysical anomaly with an apparent right angle had been identified at this location, no corresponding features were identified during excavation. All four linear furrows were orientated east–west and have been tentatively interpreted as lazy-beds. One of these features certainly cut an earlier pit with a complex stratigraphy. It seems to have begun life as a fire pit, represented by fired clay and charcoal, which had been covered by two layers of charcoal-flecked material. The three upper fills had no traces of charcoal and may represent subsequent unrelated dumping, particularly as one level produced a sharpening stone. The date of this artefact, like the pit, remains uncertain, but radiocarbon dating will be carried out later in the post-excavation process. The complexity of its fills suggests that it may have been used (and reused) for a considerable period of time.

Cutting 10 (TA 10]
The north–south linear features are of uncertain date, but are clearly agricultural in nature. The four potential post-holes identified in the cutting did not form a recognisable pattern and it is possible that they, like the pit/hollow, are of natural origin. One possible post-hole produced some charcoal and, if sufficient for radiocarbon dating, this will be carried out as part of the post-excavation programme.

Cutting 11 [TA 11]
In addition to locating the hearth identified during the TAG geophysical survey of the area, this cutting also exposed a considerable number of apparently associated features. The hearth had at least two phases of use, with the primary levels being sealed with clay before being used for a second time. The five spreads that surrounded the hearth must be associated with it, and presumably represent work surfaces or industrial dumping. Some of the possible post-holes, stake-holes, and more specifically the group of ten stake-holes, almost certainly represent some form of windbreak associated with the hearth. They do not provide evidence for a more substantial structure.

The stratified rotary sharpening or polishing stones from two of the spreads and a possible post-hole suggest that metalworking, or more specifically finishing activity, may have occurred in this area, and would indicate that this activity was contemporary with occupation within and closer to the main enclosure at the site.

Cutting 12 [TA 12]
Nothing corresponding to the geophysical anomaly identified in this area was exposed in this trench, but four oval hollows identified in its southern part can be interpreted as tree boles associated with the field boundary known to have existed here in the 19th century. As in other cuttings opened in this phase of the excavation, some of the eleven furrows crossed each other at right angles. As these are presumably agricultural, they may represent two successive phases of tillage at this site.

Although no finds were recovered, these features are presumed to be post-medieval/modern in origin.