This ‘sunken-floored structure’ was found during excavations 180m south of Dublin Castle. Dating to the late 11th/early 12th century, it was likely used for numerous functions over the course of its lifetime - as a house, a storeroom and a craft working space.
Constructed by digging a large pit in the boulder clay and lining it with blocks of local calp limestone, access to the structure was via a sloping passageway into the south wall. Following evidence of a fire, several phases of flooring were evident. Two slots for narrow beams to carry a door frame were identified either side of a defined threshold. Several iron finds were retrieved in the vicinity of the door. Once conserved, these iron objects were revealed to be a key, a hinge and a latch all probably relating to door furnishings.
A final stage comprised the installation of a stone-lined cistern into the clay floor of the structure, fed by a stone lined gully which led into the house from the northwest.
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