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

The medieval leather belt just after its discovery in the well

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 materials which normally decay in a dry environment. This is due to the lack of air or `anaerobic´ condition. Once we got to the lower levels of the well the soil was extremely wet and lots of wood and a few scraps of leather were retrieved by the archaeologists.
Yesterday afternoon we found something really special near the bottom of the well- a complete leather belt which still retained its buckle and numerous metal studs along its length. This has been sent for conservation today in order to guarantee its preservation, but we will have more photos of it shortly once it has been cleaned up.

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