Category Archives: Medieval Archaeology

Cally Forest Motte Survey: A Lovely, Shady, Lump!

Posted on October 10, 2012 by rubiconheritage

A 12th-century motte castle was the subject of a challenging topographical and geophysical survey that was recently conducted by Rubicon Heritage Services within the policies of Cally Palace near Gatehouse of Fleet, Galloway, in south-west Scotland. The work was undertaken … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeological Geophysics, Archaeology Scotland, Medieval Archaeology, Rubicon Heritage | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Breathtaking Caherduggan Belt: Rubicon’s Best Ever Find?

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Damian Shiels

Some readers may recall one of last year’s posts about a find from our excavations for Cork County Council at Caherduggan Castle, Co. Cork. A medieval well produced a seemingly complete leather belt with what we thought were ‘metal studs’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Cork County Council, Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Ireland, Rubicon Heritage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Recreating the Earliest Image of an Irish City: The Waterford Charter Roll

Posted on February 15, 2012 by rubiconheritage

Rubicon Heritage Services were recently commissioned to examine the magnificent Waterford Charter Roll, housed in the Waterford Museum of Treasures. This faded document contains the earliest depiction of an Irish city, and it was the task of our graphics team … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval Archaeology, Rubicon Heritage | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Big Dig at Caherduggan Castle: Find of the Week #4

Posted on December 2, 2011 by rubiconheritage

Yesterday we brought you news of a leather belt that emerged from the excavation of a well at Caherduggan Castle. As the day wore on this phenomenal feature continued to give up its secrets, producing another find of extraordinary quality. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Cork County Council, Medieval Archaeology, Rubicon Heritage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Big Dig at Caherduggan Castle: Find of the Week #3

Posted on December 1, 2011 by rubiconheritage

During the excavation process we identified a big dark area behind the moat. Through careful excavation we realized this originally served as a well and was excavated down below the water table. Wet or waterlogged soils allow for preservation of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cork County Council, Medieval Archaeology, Rubicon Heritage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Big Dig at Caherduggan Castle: Week 3

Posted on November 18, 2011 by rubiconheritage

Our third week in Caherduggan was spent excavating sections across a large ditch or moat which surrounded the tower described in last weeks post. We could see this once we removed the topsoil as a dark line of soil which … Continue reading →

Posted in Cork County Council, Excavations, Medieval Archaeology, Post Medieval Archaeology, Rubicon Heritage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Big Dig at Caherduggan Castle: Find of the Week #2

Posted on November 17, 2011 by rubiconheritage

The castle that once stood on our site was demolished around the middle of the 19th century. When this big stone tower was knocked down we believe that most of the shaped or carved stone was taken away to be re-used … Continue reading →

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The Big Dig at Caherduggan Castle: Week 2

Posted on November 11, 2011 by rubiconheritage

Our second week in Caherduggan was spent cleaning and recording a number of very large foundations which we believe are part of a castle or tower house that stood on the site during the medieval period around 500 years ago. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cork County Council, Headlines, Medieval Archaeology, Rubicon Heritage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Big Dig at Caherduggan Castle: Find of the Week #1

Posted on November 1, 2011 by rubiconheritage

One of the many great things about digging a moat is that the lower levels tend to be waterlogged. When soil is waterlogged it allows materials such as wood and leather to be preserved because there is very little air … Continue reading →

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The Big Dig at Caherduggan Castle: Cracking Castle and Mega Moat

Posted on October 28, 2011 by rubiconheritage

The following blog is the first in a series we are preparing on our excavations of the Castle and Moat at Caherduggan near Doneraile in County Cork. These are being prepared at the request of Cork County Council  (our client) … Continue reading →

Posted in Cork County Council, Medieval Archaeology, Rubicon Heritage | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments