Early medieval settlement publication

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Created on Monday, 30 January 2012 11:42

Recently published 'Settlement in Early Medieval Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excavations', edited by Christiaan Corlett and Michael Potterton, discusses some of the most interesting early medieval settlement sites to be excavated during the last decade. This book will become the 'go to' text for anyone interested in this time period and students and colleagues alike will be referencing it for years to come. Included within this volume are four articles written by directors at IAC.

In chapter 5 (pages 73–92) Tim Coughlan describes the early medieval activity at the enigmatic site of Cappydonnell Big, Co. Offaly. This site was excavated (E2653) between 2005 and 2006 in advance of the M6 Kilbeggan to Athlone Motorway scheme. The ringfort was located within the constraint for RMP site OF002-021 which had been mistakenly de-listed. Tim discusses the re-use of the pre-existing prehistoric burial site (Bronze Age cemetery and ringditch) during the early medieval period.

In chapter 6 (pages 93–106) Tim Coughlan discusses a large bivallate ringfort excavated at Lisanisk c. 2.5km east of Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. The excavation (03E0890) was undertaken in advance of the realignment of the N2 Carrickmacross-Aclint road in 2003. This ringfort forms part of a large early medieval communal landscape surrounding the monastic settlement at Magheross.

In chapter 10 (pages 147–156) Derek Gallagher and Faith Bailey describe the excavation results of an early medieval complex at Kiltrough, Co. Meath (08E297). This site is an important addition to our understanding of settlement in the well-populated landscape of the north-east coast. There are many comparisons between this site and that excavated in 2000 at Colp West c. 1km away.

Finally in chapter 21 (pages 313–330) Fintan Walsh discusses the enclosed farmstead excavated at Killickaweeny, Co. Kildare. The excavation (02E1002) was undertaken in 2002 in advance of the M4 Kinnegad-Enfield-Kilcock Motorway scheme. Killickaweeny 1 comprises of a well organised relatively wealthy 8th-10th century enclosed farmstead. Specific areas within the enclosure were designated for textile production, iron-working and animal husbandry. Unfortunately no evidence for non-ferrous metal-working, imported pottery or glass artefacts, as found on many high-status sites of this time, was noted at Killickaweeny 1.