Initial remote sensing survey at Tlachtga, Co. Meath in 2011–12 highlighted the presence of multiple, partially overlapping phases of enclosure at the site. Three subsequent seasons of excavation provided critical interpretive evidence, with over 15,000 fragments of animal bone, human remains, charred plant material, evidence of metalworking, and a hoard of Anglo-Saxon silver coins dating to the late 10th century AD.

The main activity at the site spans four broad periods and two main phases of monumental construction: a late Bronze Age to early Iron Age ‘Hillfort Phase’ (1100–400 BC) and a late Iron Age to early medieval (AD 400–600) ringfort phase associated with a smaller foundation enclosure – the ‘Southern Enclosure’. This ringfort phase was remodeled later in the early medieval period (9th–10th century AD) and augmented by a phase of mound construction in the mid-10th century AD. This is contemporary with the deposition of the coin hoard east of the main complex in an apparent craft-working area. The final phase of the central mound indicates the construction of a timber stockade, most likely in the 12th century, again with significant craft activity.

This volume represents the excavation of at least four loci within the broader monumental landscape of Tlachtga, charting its progression from Bronze Age hillfort to pre-Anglo Norman power display mound.

The excavations at the Hill of Ward and this publication were made possible through funding by the National Monuments Service via the Royal Irish Academy archaeological research excavation grants, and by Meath County Council, with additional support by the Office of Public Works and the Heritage Council.

• Front Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• 1. Introduction: The Hill of Ward, Co. Meath
  • 1.1. Project rationale
  • 1.2. The Ordnance Survey at Tlachtga
  • 1.3. The historical and literary associations of Tlachtga (Edel Bhreathnach)
  • 1.4. The archaeological landscape of the Hill of Ward
    • 1.4.1. The Mesolithic
    • 1.4.2. Neolithic and Bronze Age
    • 1.4.3. Iron Age to early medieval
    • 1.4.4. Later medieval
• 2. Previous archaeological research in the Hill of Ward environs
  • 2.1. Remote sensing
  • 2.2. Geophysical survey at the Hill of Ward: placing Tlachtga in space and time (Chris Carey and Susan Curran)
    • 2.2.1. Introduction
    • 2.2.2. Methods: gradiometer field collection and data processing
    • 2.2.3. Methods: gradiometer data interpretation
    • 2.2.4. Geomagnetic survey: results
  • 2.3. Tlachtga in space and time
  • 2.4. Previous excavations
• 3. Excavations at Tlachtga: aims and objectives
  • 3.1. Excavations: the Hillfort Phase
    • 3.1.1. Trench 2
    • 3.1.2. Trench 4 – southern extent
    • 3.1.3. Trench 4 – centre
    • 3.1.4. Trench 4 – northern extent
  • 3.2. The Southern Enclosure and environs
    • 3.2.1. Test Pit 1
  • 3.3. Tlachtga, outer ditches
    • 3.3.1. Trench 1
    • 3.3.2. Test Pit 3
    • 3.3.3. Trench 5
    • 3.3.4. Trench 7
  • 3.4. Tlachtga: the central mound
    • 3.4.1. Trench 6
    • 3.4.2. Test Pit 2
  • 3.5. The eastern complex – Trench 8
  • 3.6. Dating Tlachtga (Stephen Davis)
    • 3.6.1. The Hillfort Phase
    • 3.6.2. The possible kiln
    • 3.6.3. The Southern Enclosure
    • 3.6.4. Tlachtga – construction phase (Early Medieval 1)
    • 3.6.5. Tlachtga – early medieval phase (Early Medieval 2)
    • 3.6.6. Tlachtga – early medieval to Anglo-Norman phase
• 4. Interpreting the results: telling the story of Tlachtga
  • 4.1. The Hillfort Phase
  • 4.2. The Southern Enclosure
  • 4.3. The main enclosure of Tlachtga
  • 4.4. The central platform
  • 4.5. The eastern complex
  • 4.6. Excavations at Tlachtga: refining the narrative and contextualising the site
    • 4.6.1. Building Tlachtga
  • 4.7. Environment and economy at the Hill of Ward
    • 4.7.1. Bronze Age to late Iron Age
    • 4.7.2. Middle Iron Age
    • 4.7.3. Late Iron Age–early medieval period
    • 4.7.4. Early medieval period
    • 4.7.5. Early medieval to Anglo-Norman
    • 4.7.6. Synthesis
• 5. Finds and ecofacts
  • 5.1. Stone axeheads (Stephen Mandal and Bernard Gilhooly)
    • 5.1.1. Introduction
    • 5.1.2. The Irish Stone Axe Project catalogue entry
  • 5.2. Pecked stone object (2014: SF005) (Muiris O’Sullivan)
    • 5.2.1. Object description
  • 5.3. Lignite/jet objects (Paul Stevens)
    • 5.3.1. Discussion
    • 5.3.2. Catalogue of jet/jet-like jewellery
  • 5.4. Lithic finds (Martha Revell with contributions by Mark Powers)
    • 5.4.1. Raw materials
    • 5.4.2. Condition of material
    • 5.4.3. Assemblage composition
    • 5.4.4. Summary
  • 5.5. Animal bones (Ruth Carden and Erin Crowley)
    • 5.5.1. Introduction
    • 5.5.2. Methodology
    • 5.5.3. Results and discussion
    • 5.5.4. Discussion
  • 5.6. Bone objects from the Hill of Ward (Ian Riddler and Nicola Trzaska-Nartowski)
    • 5.6.1. Later prehistoric implements (Fig. 5.6.1)
    • 5.6.2. Early medieval implements (Fig. 5.6.2)
  • 5.7. Human skeletal material from the Hill of Ward (Abigail Ash)
    • 5.7.1. HOW14-B1 (2014)
    • 5.7.2. Osteological assessment
    • 5.7.3. HOW15-B2 (2015)
    • 5.7.4. HOW15-B3 (2015)
    • 5.7.5. Discussion
  • 5.8. Ancient DNA analysis of the human remains from the Hill of Ward (Lara Cassidy)
    • 5.8.1. Sequencing statistics
    • 5.8.2. Molecular sexing
    • 5.8.3. Uniparental markers
    • 5.8.4. Genomic affinities
    • 5.8.5. Inbreeding
    • 5.8.6. Phenotypic predictions
  • 5.9. 2016: SF257 Hair ring (Rena Maguire)
  • 5.10. 2016: SF255 Copper alloy ringpin (Rena Maguire)
  • 5.11. Analysis of crucible fragments from the Hill of Ward (Brendan O’Neill)
    • 5.11.1. Introduction
    • 5.11.2. Methodology
    • 5.11.3. Description and analysis
    • 5.11.4. Interpretation
    • 5.11.5. Conclusion
  • 5.12. The Anglo-Saxon coin hoard from the Hill of Ward (Andrew R. Woods)
  • 5.13. Plant macrofossils (David Stone and Nikolah Gilligan)
    • 5.13.1. Archaeobotanical analysis: methodology
    • 5.13.2. Archaeobotanical results by trench
    • 5.13.3. Discussion
    • 5.13.4. Diachronic changes in cultivars at the Hill of Ward
    • 5.13.5. Conclusions
  • 5.14. Charcoal remains (Lorna O’Donnell)
    • 5.14.1. Introduction
    • 5.14.2. Methodology
    • 5.14.3. Results
    • 5.14.4. Contextual results
    • 5.14.5. Ring growth and form
    • 5.14.6. Discussion
    • 5.14.7. Local Meath woodlands
    • 5.14.8. Conclusion
  • 5.15. Pollen analysis from Jamestown Bog (Rena Maguire)
    • 5.15.1. Site description: Jamestown Bog
    • 5.15.2. Jamestown Bog and its historical environment
    • 5.15.3. The archaeology and folklore of Jamestown Bog
    • 5.15.4. Fieldwork and sample collection
    • 5.15.5. Radiocarbon dating
    • 5.15.6. Tephra sampling and results
    • 5.15.7. Pollen extraction and results
    • 5.15.8. Results: zone by zone description of Jamestown Bog pollen diagram
    • 5.15.9. Age-depth modelling
    • 5.15.10. Discussion
    • 5.15.11. Conclusion
• Bibliography