2020:247 - River Valley, Windmill Lands, Swords, Dublin

Excavation was undertaken on 23– 26 June 2020 on the southern bank of a bend in the River Ward to the east end of Ward River Valley Park, due to erosion of the riverbank which exposed and damaged a skeleton. A trench measuring c.7 sq m (2.3 north-south x 3m) was opened, centred on the exposed skeleton.
Excavation revealed the presence of one skeleton (SK1) which was fully excavated. Another burial (SK2) was partially exposed and preserved in situ. Two possible grave cuts with no associated surface bone present were also recorded and preserved in situ. Metal detection was undertaken on the spoil heap, the riverbed and within the excavation trench under consent (20R0132) in order to aid with finds retrieval.
Excavation revealed a juvenile skeleton (SK1), aged between 9-11 years at time of death. A medieval radiocarbon date of 1045-1225calAD (UBA-43540, 883±29 BP) was returned from the left first metatarsal. SK1 was buried within a grave cut, lying in an extended, supine position, orientated east-west with head to the west as is traditional for Christian burials. The position of the body suggested a shroud burial. There was no evidence of a coffin. The grave was marked with large stones placed on the surface after burial. This individual appeared to have been relatively healthy with no signs of pathology, trauma or malnutrition at time of death. The lack of evidence for cause of death suggested this individual may have died as a result of a fast moving, highly infectious disease but this cannot be said with certainty.
The excavated remains of SK2, a juvenile aged 3-5 years at time of death, comprised loose fragments of skull and teeth which had been exposed when it was uncovered. The exposed remains were within a clear grave cut which was also aligned east-west with head to west. Two further burials were also noted during excavation running into the west and east trench edge respectively. There were no surface bones uncovered. Large stones marked the western grave cut in a similar manner to the grave cut of SK1.
An earlier excavation (Licence No. 99E0554) took place on this riverbank 4m to the north-east, also commissioned as a result of the erosion of skeletons from the riverbank. The excavation resulted in the discovery of six articulated human remains comprising of four adult females and two infants which were dated by pottery association to the 13th-14th century (DU011-090).
Prior to 1999 it was not known that there was a medieval burial ground within Ward River Valley Park. This current excavation implies that the burial ground is more substantial than the 1999 excavation suggested. It must be noted that further erosion to this riverbank is likely to expose more skeletons.

Archer Heritage Planning, 8 Beat Centre, Stephenstown, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.