2017:772 - DUBLIN AIRPORT NORTH RUNWAY PROJECT, Barberstown North - Archaeological Excavation of Site B, Dublin

Site B was identified during advance archaeological investigations which included a non-invasive geophysical survey by Target Geophysics (16R0097) and test-trenching (16E0335) by Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy (CDHC). This enclosure measured 55m north-south by 40m internally and 59m by 45m externally. Excavation was undertaken between 1 February and July 28 2017 and involved the preservation by record of a large sub-oval shaped early medieval enclosure. The work was carried out under the supervision of Donald Murphy of Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit (ACSU).

The enclosure was defined by the ditches F3 and F13. The ditch F13 represented the earliest phase of activity and defined the north-west, north, north-east, east and south-eastern portion of the enclosure. The ditch F13 was significantly narrower than F3. The ditch F3 defined the north-western, western, southern and a portion of the south-eastern extent of the enclosure. This ditch was excavated along the line of/cutaway ditch F13. A significant quantity of medieval pottery (Leinster Cooking ware, Dublin-type wares, Dublin fineware, Dublin type cooking ware, Dublin-type coarse ware) was recovered from F3 and F13. A radiocarbon date obtained from the lower fill in F13 dated this feature from the 7th-10th century AD and a radiocarbon date obtained from the ditch F3 dated this feature from the 10th-12th century AD. The pottery recovered from both ditches dates from the 12th-15th century AD. Animal bone, tiny fragments of burnt bone, flint debitage and possible nails were also recovered from F13 and animal bone, carbonized cereal grains, flint, possible blade fragments/nails were also recovered from F3.

A variety of features were identified within this site, the majority of which were consistent with early medieval settlement sites and typical of the features identified on all other sites excavated within this development. Evidence of later activity within the site was also present in the form of occasional finds of brick, clay pipes and earthenware. Other features identified at Site B include nine ditches/linear features, a well, a possible kiln, ten pits, one post-hole and three metalled surface.

A possible structure was also identified within the area defined by the enclosure ditches F3 and F13. This structure consisted of a metalled surface, the remains of a mud wall, sixteen stake-holes and three post-holes. The metalled stone surface was contained within a brown clay (F110) and a sub-rectangular shaped cut. The area around the metalled surface was defined by the line of a mud wall. Together these features would appear to represent the remains of some sort of building.

The enclosure at Site B was located in close proximity to and north-east of the enclosure at Site A. Site A was dated from the 6th-7th century. Site B was located within a landscape that was dominated by an early medieval population and it is likely that it represented a successive phase of enclosure activity and replaced Site A as a stronghold within the community.

A large sub-oval shaped enclosure occupied Site B and various phases of activity could be identified. The earliest phase of enclosure activity was dated from 7th-10th century AD and the next phase of activity was dated from the 10th-12th century AD. Both of these ditches contained a significant amount of pottery dating from the 12th-15th century AD which would suggest they were being utilized over an extended period. The majority of the remaining features exposed within this site were typical of features you would find on any early medieval settlement and indicative of agricultural activities and practices.