A general discussion of ritual hoarding is presented, and it is concluded that this practice may have been more commonplace than has generally been accepted to date and that some, at least, of the 'watery' finds from Ireland were indeed deposited in a ritual context. The Vikings established a second settlement at Dublin close to the first longphort of 841. Some of the remaining silver hoards-from bogs, rivers, lakes, small islands and shorelines-which vary in terms of their contents, with both complete ornaments and hack-silver being represented, may have been ritually deposited, but this is difficult to establish with any degree of certainty. It is suggested that these types of hoards evidence a close economic relationship between the Hiberno-Scandinavians of Dublin and the Southern Uí Néill rulers of this area. Most of the crannog finds, which are invariably of silver, are from the midland region, and it is noted that a high proportion of them contain ingots and hack-silver and are thus most probably economic rather than ritual in function. It is noted that all recorded gold hoards, with one exception, have an apparent association with water or watery places and thus conform to the patterns noted elsewhere. This paper considers the evidence of those Viking Age gold and silver hoards and single finds from Ireland that derive from watery locations, including crannogs and their environs. In the 9th and 10th centuries the term was used exclusively to describe fortresses (PDF) 'The longphort in Viking-Age Ireland: the archaeological evidence', The Vikings in Ireland and Beyond: before and after the battle of Clontarf, H.B. There is also evidence, literary and archaeological, for the ritual deposition of some silver hoards in the Viking world. The Irish referred to these sites by the term Longphort (plural Longphuirt). The Viking artefacts are the earliest dated objects found in the Abbey River on the Limerick Main Drainage Scheme.It has been observed that Viking Age gold finds in Scandinavia and Britain are frequently associated with watery environments and may represent ritual or votive depositions. A Viking strap end and zoomorphic mount dating from the early eleventh century are demonstrable examples of the fine metalworking technology of the time. A silver penny minted for King Cnut, dating from AD 1035, is illustrative of trade and exchange between Limerick and London, where the coin was minted almost a thousand years ago by King Cnut’s moneyer, Edwine. The Vikings were craftsmen and traders, and it is this picture, as opposed to their traditional characterisation as plunderers, that emerged from the murky depths of the Abbey River. The permanent settlement appears to have been established in 922AD by Tamar MacAilche. The site is adjacent to St Thomas’s Island at a ford leading to the city via Athlunkard Street-hence the local placename Athlunkard (‘ford of the ship fort’). Dubh linn evolved into the settlement of Dyflin, which swelled to become a major trading empire with countries as far afield as continental Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. A detailed topographic survey revealed ‘D’-shaped defensive banks and ditches enclosing a low mound. Clashes notwithstanding, the enterprising Vikings stayed on, integrating with the Irish Celts and establishing a longphort (raiding base) around 841. The earthworks, which are just below the tidal limit of the river, are silted and eroded. However, earthworks have been identified on the banks of the River Shannon at Fairyhill, just north of Limerick city. Documentary sources suggest that a Viking named Yorus established a longphort near Limerick in 861, but to date this site has not been identified. The Vikings started raiding long the River Shannon in the 9th century.
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