2016:170 - SWORDS: Swords Castle, Dublin

As part of the Swords Castle: Digging History–Fingal Community Excavation Project 2015/16, Season 2 took place over fifteen days between 19 August and 4 September 2016. The focus of the 2016 season was on verifying the nature of the anomalies on the geophysical survey, building on the information attained during Season 1 and engaging the community in archaeology.

Three trenches (T4–T6) were excavated. Trench 4 (6m north-south x 3.5m), located 0.5m west of Trench 1, Season 1 was excavated to natural subsoil and bedrock, a maximum depth of 1m. Structural elements were identified within Trench 4. Large post-holes within a foundation trench (F101) were cut into natural subsoil, indicative of the presence of a timber building at an early stage in the site history. The post-holes were sealed by a metalled surface (F86) over which was a bone-rich layer possibly indicating food preparation or an area of small-scale butchery. Geophysical survey had suggested the presence of a square area of possible structural remains within Trench 4 but excavation established that this anomaly represented a significant layer of stone tumble. The recovery of wall plaster and architectural fragments including a roll-and-fillet window moulding in the vicinity may represent the levelling of a structure.

Trench 5 (4m x 4m) was excavated to natural subsoil, a maximum depth of 0.8m. Trench 5 was located in an area that had not produced significant geophysical results. The archaeological layers within Trench 5 sloped down from east to west and from north to south. They were characterised by their extreme compaction, and high level of stone inclusions. Strategic sondages identified a large rock-cut ditch (F85) which was not reflected in the geophysical survey, doubtless obscured by the thick stone-rich deposits that overlie it. The northern edge of the presumed ditch was identified and it has a projected maximum width of 4m and is c.1.2m in depth. Samples taken from the lower layers will hopefully yield material for dating which will indicate if it could be an enclosure ditch associated with the 11th-century activity on site or perhaps a later boundary definition of the medieval manor.

Trench 6 (6m north-south x 2m) was located at a right-angle to the previous season’s Trench 3 and was excavated to natural subsoil, a maximum depth of 1.1m. Two intercutting pits (F95, F92) were cut into natural. These pits had been sealed beneath two medieval metalled surfaces (F72, F82). A radiocarbon date from a pit (F19) in the same stratigraphic position (i.e. cut into natural and sealed by a medieval surface) in Trench 2, Season 1, returned a date range of AD 937–1019 (UBA-32456 2 sigma) so it is likely that the pits are the result of associated activity.

The environmental sampling strategy was overseen by Dr Meriel McClatchie who undertook a training day on site. Soil samples were retrieved from possible flooring layers, pits, features, ditch and post-hole fills and stratigraphically early layers. Wet sieving took place on site. Animal bone and shell were retrieved from all features and layers. All layers and features of all trenches and a significant proportion of topsoil were dry-sieved.

A total of 1259 artefacts were registered including pottery, tile, clay pipe, iron nails, copper alloy and a bone comb.

A particular aim of the Swords Castle: Digging History project is to engage the wider public with the national monument in their midst. A total of 105 volunteers, participated in the excavation, finds washing, and registering of artefacts during Season 2. Dr Steve Mandal undertook a Geology Day on site and local artist, Andrew Carson, was commissioned to interview the participants, currently available for viewing here. 

The 2016 season of excavation continued to establish the presence of previously unknown structures and medieval activity within the precinct of Swords Castle and confirmed the potential for surviving in situ archaeology. Further post-excavation analysis will allow for the development of a definitive chronology for the activity uncovered.