County: Louth Site name: Linns
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 10E0329
Author: Mark Clinton, Archer Heritage Planning, St Lawrence Cottage, Strand Road, Sutton, Co. Dublin.
Site type: Viking longphort
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 707892m, N 794497m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.888650, -6.358694
The siting and limits of the 9th-century Viking longphort of Linn Duachaill has attracted the attention of historians and archaeologists since the early 19th century. In 2005 a research group was formed to pursue this investigation. Initial work consisted of a revue of all documentary references in tandem with an extensive field exploration of the landscape of the area. The latter activity led to the selection of a prospective site on the bank of the River Glyde approximately 1km to the north of the village of Annagassan. In 2007 a geophysical survey of the selected zone was conducted by Target Archaeological Geophysics and funded by the Louth County Museum. The results of this survey revealed the presence of a myriad of subterranean features of archaeological potential covering a very extensive area.
In September 2010 three trial-trenches were excavated under the direction of the research group.
Trench 1 (12m x 2m) was positioned with the objective of confirming the existence of a substantial outer linear defensive feature. This trench was entirely excavated by hand. The presence of a fosse, c. 5m in width and 3m in depth, was revealed. This fosse was flanked by the remains of an internal defensive bank.
Trench 2 (12m x 2m) was positioned with the objective of exploring the nature of various internal features. A series of cobbled surfaces, drains and pits were uncovered.
Trench 3 (12.5 x 2.2m) was positioned with the objective of investigating an internal linear anomaly that lay in close proximity to the original (projected) bank of the river. A fosse with an associated cobbled area was uncovered.
The excavation established the presence of the by-products of metalworking and ship-associated industry. The discovery of clinker nails and roves was of particular significance. Other diagnostic artifacts included two pieces of hack silver, a lead weight, a fragment of a possible scales, a loom weight and elements of bronze and copper-alloy objects of apparent high status.
Specialist analysis of environmental samples and the result of the carbon dating of samples in particular are forthcoming.
