Dublin
1989:036
9-12 High Street, Wood Quay Ward
Urban medieval
O151339
Initial archaeological monitoring at the rear of the site noted the survival of in situ archaeological deposits to a height of 0.6m-0.7m above the natural clays. The excavation was limited to the area of the proposed foundation trench, the undisturbed archaeological contexts being contained within an area 7m east-west by 2m north-south.The first phase of activity on the site was evidenced by a roughly cobbled surface which had been trampled into the boulder clay. A number of post-holes were also revealed at this level; however, it was impossible owing to the limitations of the excavation area to determine whether these constituted part of an early structure or of a boundary fence. The overlying stratigraphy was basically of an inorganic nature, the soil types displaying somewhat acidic qualities. These layers were habitation-related, aceramic and mainly composed of animal bone and mollusc shells. The artefacts recovered included 5 bone pins, 2 bodkins and a small fragment of an amber ring. Cut into the uppermost level of the surviving stratigraphy, a small shallow pit, max. depth 0. 13m, was found to contain fragments of human skull. The pit, which measured 0.87m north-south by l.62m east-west had no defining posts and there were no datable finds associated with it.These layers, which have been tentatively identified as 11th century in date, were further cut by two intrusive pits. The largest of these, located at the eastern end of the cutting, was c.2m in diameter and cut into the boulder clay. Composed of compacted organic deposits, the pottery assemblage dates roughly to the early 13th century and comprised equal amounts of Dublin-made wares and imported French wares. Two near-complete lathe-turned wooden bowls were also recovered from the fill of this pit. The second pit revealed a similar fill of organic waste and habitation refuse.
Declan Murtagh, 132 Finglas Park, Finglas East, Dublin 11.

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