DOWDSTOWN 2
| Site Name/Townland | Site Number | Description | Provisional site type | Provisional dating |
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| Dowdstown 2 | 2-33 | Large ditched enclosure complex | Settlement complex. | Early Medieval |
An extensive multi-enclosure site was identified by geophysical survey at Dowdstown 2 (Section 2) immediately south of the River Boyne. The site appears to have commenced as a circular enclosure of approximately 40m diameter, which was later enlarged to form a D-shaped enclosure (60m x 40m). Attached to this D-shaped enclosure is a larger rectilinear enclosure that may have functioned as an animal pen. It is less clear whether a further rectilinear field identified by the geophysical survey to the north of this complex is contemporary. Further ditches to the north have been confirmed by cartographic analysis and testing to be related to the 18th century demesne parkland. This site appears to provide a wonderful opportunity to explore the relationship between ringforts and later D-shaped enclosures.
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Extract of 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1836), showing the location of the site at Dowdstown 2, which is indicated by the large blue circle. The landscaped demesne of Dowdstown House is depicted on this early 19th century map. The curve of the tree-line to the south of the river forms part of the original 18th century demesne parkland. Ditches associated with this tree-line were identified as cropmarks in aerial photographs and were subsequently confirmed during testing. (OS Sheet 31, Scale 1:10,560. Reproduced by courtesy of the Board of Trinity College Dublin) |
Geophysical Survey
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| Aerial view of Dowdstown with River Boyne to north. Archaeological features identified during geophysical survey and tree-line of 18th century demesne are visible as crop marks. |
The geophysical survey at Dowdstown revealed a circular enclosure with a large annexe and field systems (Dowdstown 2); a possible early medieval enclosed settlement. The site at Dowdstown 2 is one of three large enclosure complexes identified during geophysical survey of Section 2 (Dunshaughlin-Navan) in 2000. The other two sites identified were at Baronstown and Roestown.
The morphology of the sites indicated that both Roestown and Dowdstown were likely to be early medieval settlements while Baronstown could be early medieval or prehistoric. [Click here for a detailed description of the geophysical survey].
Testing
The testing results at Dowdstown 2 suggest four phases of activity: Phase 1 - 40m diameter enclosure; Phase 2 - Annex to northeast (60m x 20m); Phase 3 - Additional annex to northeast; Phase 4 - Additional rectilinear annexes (45m x 25m) to northeast and northwest.
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| Phase 2 - Ditch 3.4m wide x 1.6m deep. (Courtesy of ACS Ltd.) |
Preliminary Excavation Results
Excavation of the large enclosure complex at Dowdstown by Lydia Cagney (ACS Ltd) has revealed a substantial early medieval settlement, occupying a prime location on the banks of the River Boyne, with commanding views of the surrounding landscape.
The settlement initially consisted of a circular enclosure or ringfort associated with a number of large sub-rectangular enclosures, which extend outside the landtake, as indicated on the most recent geophysical survey undertaken to the east of the site. These enclosures appear to represent an early medieval field system farmed by the occupants of the enclosure.
The ringfort was subsequently enlarged into a D-shaped enclosure that incorporated its north, west and southwest sides, making additional space available for domestic and industrial activities. An additional sub-rectangular enclosure was annexed to the eastern side of the D-shaped enclosure. Both the north and south ditches of this annex contained organic material including burnt seeds and chaff and both yielded bronze ringed pins, which are typically dated to the 8th and 9th centuries AD.
The artefacts recovered at Dowdstown date mainly to between the sixth and ninth centuries and include everyday objects as well as decorative items such as ringed pins, fragments of lignite bracelet and decorated bone comb and a glass bead. Of the more decorative items recovered two are especially interesting: a decorated bronze shaft of a pennanular brooch and the silver ring of a ringed pin with spiral decoration.
Domestic activities, such as food preparation and consumption, cereal processing and crop cultivation, are represented by the knives, pottery sherds, rotary quern and a possible bill hook found during excavations. Clothing or textiles are rare survivors on archaeology sites but the recovery of a spindle whorl and an iron needle at Dowdstown indicates that textile crafts were being carried out on the site.
Return to Section 2.
Final Report
Please click on the link to access the final archaeological report for Dowdstown 2
| Final Report of Dowdstown 2 | 10.8MB |
