ROESTOWN 2

Site Name/Townland Description Provisional site type Provisional dating
Roestown 2 Large ditched enclosure complex split by existing N3  Settlement complex Early Medieval with medieval phase

 

 

 Textual description below Extract of 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map (1836), showing location of site at Roestown 2 originally on edge of Red Bog. The archaeological site at Roestown 2 is indicated by the small blue circle, located in Roestown townland. The Dunshaughlin to Navan Road (coming from Dublin) runs south-east / north-west along the left-hand side of the map and through Roestown 2.
The large area outlined in blue in the centre of the map represents the extent of Red Bog in the early 19th century. The blue square immediately north-west if Roestown 2 marks the site of Roestown 3, the foundation remains of a vernacular building. (Map reproduced from copy in Trinity College Library, Dublin, with permission of the Board of Trinity College. OS sheet 38, scale1: 10,560)

 

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY

The site at Roestown 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 Dowdstown. 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

All sites identified by the geophysical survey were confirmed by testing undertaken in 2004, as was the case at Roestown 2. There proved to be a strong correlation between the features identified in the geophysical survey and those identified in the testing. Large quantities of animal bone were recovered during testing. Possible ditches and numerous gullies were identified in the interior which were also rich in animal bone.      

 

 The external D-shaped enclosure is defined by a flat-bottomed ditch measuring 4.6m in width x 1m in depth. (Courtesy of ACS Ltd.)  A C-Shaped internal enclosure was also identified, measuring 20m x 18m, defined by a ditch measuring 3.1m wide and 1.1m deep. (Courtesy of ACS Ltd.)
 The external D-shaped enclosure is defined by a flat-bottomed ditch measuring 4.6m in width x 1m in depth. (Courtesy of ACS Ltd)  A C-shaped internal enclosure was also identified, measuring 20m x 18m, defined by a ditch measuring 3.1m wide and 1.1m deep. (Courtesy of ACS Ltd)
               

 

EXCAVATION

A phase of metal-detecting and topsoil assessment was carried out at Roestown 2a and 2b prior to archaeological excavation commencing. Excavations commenced at 2a in July 2005 and were completed in January 2006. Excavation at 2b started in January 2006 and is now complete. The preliminary excavation results indicate that the site consists of a series of successive early medieval enclosures, including a souterrain and field systems, beginning in the 7th century and continuing into the 11th century, with limited occupation into the 13th century. Post-excavation work is ongoing.

 

 Post Excavation Aerial view of Roestown 2
Aerial view of Roestown 2 post-excavation. (Photo StudioLab)

 

Roestown 2a: Preliminary Post-Excavation Interpretation

This part of the site is currently interpreted as being broadly dated to four main phases:

  1. The earliest phase is represented by a series of circular enclosures c.18m in diameter and a larger oval shaped enclosure measuring c. 36m x 20m. Finds include a sherd of E-Ware pottery and an iron ringed pin shaft. Provisional dating 8th century.
  2. This area is subsequently deliberately backfilled and replaced by a much larger sub-rectangular shaped enclosure 50m x 38m. Finds include bone pins, iron knives and stone gaming boards. Provisional dating 9th-10th century.
  3. This enclosure ditch silts up and is re-cut. Finds include a stone lamp, lignite bracelet, strip of hack silver and decorated bronze strip. Provisional dating 10th-11th century.
  4. The medieval phase is represented by a small rectangular enclosure 14m x 10m. Finds include medieval green glazed pottery and a possible iron spearhead or butt. Provisional dating 13th century.

 

 Roestown 2a - Colour Coded Plan Post-excavation plan of archaeological features at Roestown 2a. The plan is colour-coded to show the four main archaeological phases described in the text above.
(Courtesy of ACS Ltd)

 

 

Roestown 2b

A souterrain was revealed during excavations at Roestown 2b. The structure consists of three beehive chambers linked by three passages with access from a drop-hole entrance. Most of the capstones were removed in antiquity and the souterrain was deliberately backfilled. Some capstones remained in place and one section of passage survived intact. A Class 8 stick pin of 11th - 13th century date was the only notable artefact removed from the souterrain.

 Roestown - Souterrain Mid Excavation  

Roestown - elevated View of Souterrain Chamber 2

 Elevated view of souterrain during excavation. (Photo StudioLab) Elevated view of souterrain chamber, Roestown 2b.
(Photo StudioLab)

A 3D laser scan survey of the souterrain was carried out in November 2006 by Gridpoint Solutions Ltd, using a Leica HDS 3000 laser scanner †the very latest in 3D scanning technology. Using this data, it is possible to produce detailed and accurate 2D elevations, plans, sections, volume calculations, 3D models and walk throughs of the souterrain.

 

 Setting Up Equipment for 3D Laser Scan    3D Laser Scan of Souterrain at Roestown
 Setting up the laser scanner on site.    3D laser survey of souterrain underway at Roestown.

 

Results of 3D laser survey

Elevations of Roestown Souterrain (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions) 357 KB Adobe PDF Format

Point cloud images of Roestown Souterrain

Overview of souterrain showing passageways and circular chambers (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions)
Overview of souterrain showing passageways and circular chambers (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions)
Entrance passageway into souterrain (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions)  
Entrance passageway into souterrain  (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions)
Profile of entrance passageway wall showing drystone construction (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions)  
Profile of entrance passageway wall showing drystone construction (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions)
View of passageway leading to circular chamber (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions)  
View of passageway leading to circular chamber (Courtesy of Gridpoint Solutions)

ARTEFACTS

Selection of artefacts found during excavations at Roestown 2a and 2b.

 

 Roestown - Selection of Beads  Roestown - Stone Lamp  Roestown - Decorated Bone Comb
Selection of beads Stone lamp Decorated bone comb fragment
     
Roestown - Bronze Ring Pin Shaft Roestown - Bone Pin with Decorated Head Roestown - Decorated Bronze Strip
 Bronze ringed pin shaft  Fragment of bone pin with decorated head  Decorated bronze strip

 

 

 Roestown - Stone Gaming Board  Roestown - Motif Piece  Roestown - Stone Ingot Mould
 Stone gaming board.  Bone motif piece.  Stone ingot mould.

 

Return to Section 2.

Final Report

Please click on the link to access the final archaeological report for Roestown 2

Final Report of Roestown 2 22.3MB