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Analysis of Plant remains from Hammond Lane, Co. Dublin (05E0765).
By Sara Halwas

Two phases of excavation were held at Hammond Lane/Church Street, Dublin between 2003 and 2005.  Excavations revealed a number of developmental phases extending from the 10th Century through the 20th Century.  During both phases sediment samples were collected from a variety of archaeological contexts and features for the analysis of plant remains. Plant analyses reveal agricultural crops and wild fruits were utilized throughout the occupation of the site.

Archaeological Background: Features and Contexts
Development of this area occurred from the Viking/Hiberno-Norse Period to the Post Modern Period; archaeological investigations revealed cultural features such as house floors, hearths, cesspits, domestic refuse pits and ditches dating to the Viking/Hiberno-Norse Period (10th-12th Centuries) and the Medieval Period (13th Century onwards).  As well, a sterile layer which potentially provided the base for primary occupation of this area was also uncovered.

Archaeobotanical Remains
Archaeobotanical remains were identified from a 10th Century clay lens, identified as the clay base for the primary occupation of this area; edible species recovered demonstrates the suitability of Hammond Lane for occupation.  This clay lens base was damp or consistently wet as the majority of macro plant remains were from rushes (Juncus sp.), bull reeds (Scirpus sp.) and sedges (Carex sp.), species that colonize damp ground, ponds and ditches. Drier ground was located nearby as bramble (Rubus sp.), elder (Sambucus sp.) buttercup (Ranunculus sp.), strawberry (Fragaria sp.), nettle (Urtica dioica) and thistles (Cirsium sp.), species which occupy hedgerows or open grasslands, were present.  Many of these species, the brambles, elders, strawberries and nettles, produce edible fruits, leaves or stems.  Raspberry and blackberry (brambles), and strawberry fruits were collected and eaten fresh.  Elders produce numerous tart berries containing a mild toxic compound which was removed through boiling prior to consumption.  These berries were eaten with sweeter fruits or processed into jams, flavourings for beverages or preserves (Kelly 1998).  Young nettle and thistle greens were consumed as a vegetable and dried nettle stems, leaves and flowers can also be boiled as a tea. 

Plant remains from later Viking/ Hiberno-Norse occupation (11-12th Century) and early Medieval Period (13th Century) identify the importance of the agricultural crops barley, oats and wheat, as well as major crop and urban weed species.  Barely and oats were the primary crops utilized as they were easily obtainable, grew well in damp, cool climates and were utilized for both human consumption and animal fodder.  Small quantities of wheat were also grown as it was viewed as a more superior crop to barley and oats.  All three crops could be processed into flour and baked into breads, used in porridges, gruels and as soup bases (Sexton 1998), but wheat made lighter, fluffier bread loaves due to the high gluten content (Kelly 1998).  Common weed species that grew along side cereal crops and were subsequently harvested and brought on site include fat-hen (Chenopodium album) and dock (Rumex sp.). Poppies (Papaver sp.), nettles, buttercups and daisies colonized rubbish pits and ditches and are now known as indicative to urban settlements.

Crop Products and Weeds

Fat-hen seed (Chenopodium album)	Barley (Hordeum vulgare)