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

Antrim
possibly by the construction of both the medieval and 19 th century church would suggest that
the area had from been for burial from the later early medieval period onwards. The
excavation also uncovered evidence for the internment of infants and indicate the presence
of an early modern cillín cemetery. These appear to post-date many of the remaining burials
and it is probable that some or all of these were buried ‘outside’ of the graveyard, after the
19th century wall was built. Radiocarbon dating of all these burials will be required to
establish the extent of the medieval and post-medieval graveyards in relation to the current
church boundary.
Limited evidence was found for the use of the paddock as a garden during the early modern
period (Phase 11) and may relate to the use of the plot as part of the rectory vegetable
garden from the eighteenth century. This included the deposition of a humic-rich garden soil
across much of the area and the partial remains of paths and paving, particularly along the
perimeter of the paddock. The nineteenth century witnessed the construction of a rectory and
the modern church and it is possible that earlier standing remains were removed during the
course of these building works. Phase 12 referred to these modern features including pits and
postholes.
The excavations at Armoy have produced a large collection of finds. Approximately 2,700
sherds of pottery were recovered. The majority of the pottery assemblage was souterrain
ware, with the remainder either Everted rim ware or medieval glazed wares. The ground
stone assemblage from Armoy comprised approximately 60 artefacts which included a unique
perforated and decorated stone disc, possible whetstones, axe fragments, a bracelet
fragment, hammer-stones and quernstones. The perforated and decorated stone disc
contained the incised figure of an angel or religious figure, and can be linked stylistically to 9-
10th century. Approximately 800 worked pieces of flint and quartz were also found at Armoy
and it was suggested that they largely represented residually deposited material, originally
deriving from prehistoric deposits. A small number of pre-modern glass artefacts were also
recovered, as well as a possible fragment of enamel. Finally, a large quantity of organic and
environmental remains have been preserved which should help with the dating of the various
phases.
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