2008:1034 - Kilteasheen, Roscommon

The 2008 field season was the fourth season of the training/research excavation at the Bishop’s Seat, Kilteasheen, Co. Roscommon (see Excavations 2005, No. 1339; Excavations 2006, No. 1736 and Excavations 2007, No. 1498 for pervious work). This project is funded by the Royal Irish Academy and is jointly run by the Sligo Institute of Technology and the University of St Louis. In 2008 the cuttings, on and around the platform, and the further exploration of the hall house were successfully completed.
In 2008, all cuttings containing human burials were completed, revealing between six and eight phases of burial starting in the 7th century ad in Cutting F and ending in the 13th century in Cutting G, and possibly later in Cutting B. These burials sealed some intriguing features that pre-dated the development of the platform, in particular the north–south-orientated ditch in Cutting B and the small north-east/south-west ditch in Cutting F. The investigation of the hall house (cúirt) through the excavation of Cuttings I and J has revealed a much more complex history of the building than was envisaged after the excavation of earlier Cuttings C and D. Below is a short summary of the major chronological levels of activity at the Bishop’s Seat, based upon the results of the 2008 field season but in the absence of necessary further analysis and dating.
The earliest level of activity on the site, Level 1, has been confirmed by 14C dating to date at its earliest to somewhere from the late 7th to the late 8th century and is believed to continue until the end of the 10th century (a separate level will be created if further dating reveals if any of the excavated features return prehistoric dates). This date applies to the early burial in Cutting A and the earliest burials in Cutting F. This date also applies to some of the fabric of the platform itself; charcoal deposit F31 was likewise dated to this period. However, it is likely that the platform itself dates somewhat later (incorporating earlier material) as the associated ditch appears to cut into the early burials in Cuttings A/F. Also included is the narrow ditch revealed beneath the earliest burials in Cutting F. Cutting E had a single linear cut feature in this level, running perpendicular to the platform, cut by the later ditches. A number of cut features in Cutting B, including the likely continuation of the ditch revealed in Cutting E, likewise appear to predate the platform. The bank and ditch of the large enclosure revealed in Cutting H likely dates to Level 1 or Level 2. There is no dating evidence to support this but a substantial enclosure around an early medieval cemetery/ecclesiastical site is more than likely contemporary.
The activity at Level 2 relates primarily to the development of the platform itself and the surrounding ditches. Very little else can be definitively placed within this level of activity, except for a number of features and burials in Cutting B. Features in Cutting H, mentioned in Level 1 above, could also date to this level. In the absence of dating evidence this discrepancy cannot be resolved. It is also possible that earlier burials in Cutting G and later burials in Cutting F date to this level. Again this can only be confirmed through dating. A date range for this level is impossible to narrow further than 8th to 13th centuries at this stage.
Level 3 includes all elements dated specifically to, or associated with, the 13th century (Burial 27 in Cutting G, 1162–1275 ad). This includes later burials in Cuttings B, G and possibly, but unlikely, Cutting F. It also includes the construction of the platform perimeter wall and the construction of the cúirt. The construction of the parish church dated to the late 12th century on the basis of the decorated architectural stone and the platform also dates to this level.
Level 4 includes the infilling of the platform’s ditches and the linear stone feature revealed in Cuttings A, E and F. The industrial activity revealed within the cúirt likely dates to this level as well. It is possible that some of the burial activity in Cutting B dates to this level which is interpreted to generally date to the 14th century. The fore building of the hall house may date to this period.
Level 5 includes the destruction of the perimeter wall, the subsequent spreading of rubble across the platform and the infilling of the cúirt, including the later child burials. The building investigated by Cutting G also dates to this level. A chronological date for this level is difficult to assign and may include anything from the 15th to 19th centuries, depending upon the cutting.