Kilcloghans ringfort - cloth or leather?

Headland excavated a ringfort in the townland of Kilcloghans, Co. Galway, on behalf of Galway County Council with funding from the National Roads Authority as part of the N17 Tuam bypass. Among the artefacts recovered, four socketed and pronged tools were of particular interest. The precise function of these objects, which date from the 8th – 10th century, remains uncertain. ‘Weaving tensioners’ was suggested, but a use in leatherworking seems more likely.  They are similar to modern thonging-chisels and the faunal evidence suggests leatherworking was being practised on site.