2018:011 - 124-128 The Coombe, Dublin, Dublin

Primary levels

At the earliest or lowest level (c. 980-1170) a total of 4 Hiberno-Norse property plots were excavated. The property plots were defined by post and wattle boundary fences. The remains of 9 post and wattle structures were revealed in total. Five of these structures were dwellings with the remainder smaller outhouses that likely housed animals to the rear of the houses. The walls of the structures were built with posts spaced at intervals of 0.2-0.3m with wattle rods woven between; some of these walls survived up to 0.45m in height.

The dwellings were in a terrace of 4 plots fronting onto the Coombe, the largest measuring 6m wide by at least 8m in length. To the rear of the houses were open yard areas where smaller out buildings were located along with cobbled footpaths.  

The preservation of the organic material was excellent with lots of 12th-century leather shoes, a wooden spoon, a wooden bowl, a copper alloy decorated stick pin, a c. 12th-century copper alloy key and worked bone objects. There was also a lot of pottery sherds found including an almost complete jug.

The most significant find was a rare example of graffiti art carved onto a piece of slate depicting a figure on a horse with a shield, sword and two birds present. The slate was found to the rear of one of the post wattle houses.

This level of archaeology was found at a depth of 2.5m below present street level of the Coombe.

Middle levels (c. 13th/14th century)

After the post and wattle house plots had gone out of use they were replaced by new property plots which were defined by stone boundary walls. At the southern end of these plots were lots of medieval refuse pits and agricultural cultivation furrows. There were also the remains of stone wells, one of which contained the remains of at least 6 with medieval jug handles at the bottom.

There was evidence of industrial activity present with the presence of a tanning pit, lots of animal horn and two lime pits.

To the north of the site was a stone-built medieval well with steps leading down to the water. Two medieval wall foundations were also present at this level, with associated cobbled surfaces and pathways.

The finds at this level included a copper alloy merchant's weighing scales, a 13th-14th-century silver King Edward coin, medieval pottery – mostly local and some imported - a medieval floor tile and a very unusual ceramic bird that looks like a dove. Property plots were visible.

Upper levels

The removal of upper layers to facilitate the pilling mat took place, recording 17th-19th-century layers – house foundations fronting onto the Coombe and much industrial activity at the rear of plots including lots of ovens, a vaulted cellar, kilns and cobbled working areas. Finds included pottery, bottles and some unusual Dutch tiles associated with the Dutch Billy houses. There were several wooden water pipes and barrel cisterns for drinking water dating to the late 17th century, all oriented north-south.

Post-excavation work is ongoing.

Annesley Mews, Brighton Ave, Monkstown, Co Dublin