AR01055_EMAP_Gazetteer_of_Sites_4-2_10.pdf - The Heritage ...

Antrim
truncated structures remains in this area were found in association with approximately 1300
pieces of worked lignite, entirely comprised of cores or bracelet centres and broken bracelets
and related to the final stages of bracelet production. There were no finished pieces and no
lignite was recovered that was unrelated to the final stage of completion of curated roughouts.
The remains indicate a craft-working area during phase 6 but it is not clear if the
debitage represented an in situ working area, or the dumped deposits of debris.
The remains of another structure were identified in the southeast area of the excavated site.
It was heavily truncated by later burial (Phase 10) and comprised two wall alignments,
possibly of a rectangular structure, within which were the possible remains of a hearth. A
small rectangular setting of stones (putatively located to the ‘outside’ of the structure) was
also identified but its function is unknown. Numerous ephemeral stakeholes, small postholes
and occasional gullies, were also found in this phase of activity (6). It is unclear if these
represent the remains of lightweight structural elements or fencing. None were associated
with the remains of wall footings which may indicate that they represent the placement and
replacement of lightweight fencing, perhaps associated with small-scale farming or gardening
activities.
At a later date, a drystone souterrain was uncovered towards the eastern side of the
excavated area (Phase 7). The upcast from this monument was particularly stony and
appears to have been used as a metalled yard area sealing the phase 6 deposits on its
western side. It was mainly concentrated in the eastern half of the site, but may have
originally extended across much of the excavated area towards the western limit of
excavation, where it appears to have been truncated by Phase 8 occupation activity. The
souterrain was aligned along a north–south creep and its entrance to the north was probably
outside the limits of excavation. The main north–south passage led to a hidden chamber at
its southern extent. Part of the way along the passage, another avenue forked towards the
south-east in the direction of a steep eastern scarp which delimited the eastern extent of the
complex, again beyond the limit of excavation. This north-west/south-east passage may have
led to further chambers, but it may also have been an external exit, or ‘escape passage’,
which could have opened at some depth down the face of the eastern scarp, thereby allowing
for escape from the site. The evidence for a burnt wicker door or gateway during its initial
period of occupation might suggest that conflagration occured within the structure, perhaps
indicative of the use of the souterrain as a place of refuge. A second souterrain was found to
the south of the existing church in 1991 and may have been roughly contemporary with this
structure (See above).
Phase 8 refers to the use of the souterrain (excavated in 2005) and a nearby hearth
constructed of schist slabs. Partial surviving structural remains consisting of occasional
spreads and gullies, as well as possible wall footings, and areas of metalling and cobbling
were again identified in Phase 8. However, the presence of one building was identified by a
surviving area of paving and metalled surface within a heavily truncated area some 10m west
of the Phase 8 souterrain and nearby hearth. It was tentatively suggested that this paved
surface and hearth may relate to the same building. However as the area between the hearth
and the paved area was heavily truncated, it was not possible to conclude on their possible
association. This association, however, might be suggested by the unique use of schist slabs
in the construction of the souterrain, the hearth and the paving and apart from these
instances, schist slabs were not employed in any other context at Armoy (Nelis et. al 2007,
116). Phase 8 also saw the development of a possible topsoil layer and other occupation
activity and ephemeral traces of structural remains in the southwest and southeast of the
excavated area.
Phases 6–8 yielded an abundance of undecorated souterrain ware, metal-working slag,
furnace bottoms and lignite-bracelet production debris. A deposit from Phase 5 also produced
undecorated souterrain ware along with a fragmentary decorated bronze book clasp and a bifacially
decorated and perforated stone. This latter piece depicted a human figure on one
face, perhaps of an angel, with the other face containing a floral or tree motif and may
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