Pre-Viking dwelling found in Temple Bar

February 26 1999 12:11 AM

EVIDENCE indicating that Anglo-Saxons occupied Dublin before the Vikings arrived in 841 has been found in an archaeological dig in Temple Bar, writes Treacy Hogan.

The remains of a ``strange house'' discovered in Copper Alley in Temple Bar West were found at the lowest level of the dig, under Viking buildings.

The director of the dig, Linzi Simpson, described the find as a ``shock''. She said they knew immediately the dwelling was not Viking and could only have come from Anglo-Saxon England.

The excavation is taking place at the site of a major residential development known as The Old City, comprising 190 apartments, retail outlets and a creche.

The excavation, which took place between 1996 and 1998, found the Vikings had come up the river but other people were there when they arrived.