From 2009 to 2013 our work mainly focussed on the Upper Lake, and demonstrated considerable complexity to the evolution of landscape in this area. Two centuries of antiquarian, tourist, agricultural and industrial pressures have had very significant, and poorly understood, impact on the survival and current condition of archaeological features. For example, in 2011 we excavated stone cairns that supported simple Latin crosses carved in mica-schist. Our excavations demonstrated that, far from being original leachts, as was sometimes speculated, the cairns were of mid-Twentieth century date. In 2012-2013 during excavations at the caher (SMR:(opens in a new window) WI023-025----) we identified a large and early medieval ditch associated with the monument which has no surface expression. In 2009 we excavated charcoal production platforms to the south of the Lake (09E0380; SMR: (opens in a new window)WI023-029002-, (opens in a new window)003-, (opens in a new window)004-) and have been able to date this industry and demonstrate its impact on local woodlands (Warren et al. 2012). Our results are therefore demonstrating the extent to which modern archaeological investigation can transform our understanding of the Glendalough landscape.
In 2011–2012 we undertook the first geophysical survey in the surrounds of the main monastic complex. This has demonstrated the survival of a range of significant archaeological features, including possible industrial areas (kilns), the probable main monastic enclosure, rectangular buildings and a range of other features. This includes a ditched enclosure, which from its shape and size may represent early enclosing of the monastry enclosure. These were the focus of excavation in 2014, which demonstrated the presence of a very substantial ditch associated with an internal timber structure.