10.01.2014 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Antrim<br />

‘Doonmore’ (Cross td.), Co. Antrim<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.<br />

Grid Ref: D17244263 (31724/44263)<br />

SMR No: ANT 005:007<br />

Excavation Licence: N/A<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: 1938?<br />

Site Director: V.G. Childe (for the Prehistoric Research Council for Northern<br />

Ireland).<br />

<strong>The</strong> site is set on top <strong>of</strong> a rocky peak rising almost vertically 12m from the surrounding<br />

farmland. It was excavated under a grant by the Prehistoric Research Council for Northern<br />

Ireland.<br />

Excavation on the summit revealed areas <strong>of</strong> paving, a rectangular structure and two hearths.<br />

Possible post sockets were also discovered around the edges <strong>of</strong> the summit, indicating the<br />

likely presence <strong>of</strong> a light palisade (Fig. 23).<br />

<strong>The</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> the site and the presence <strong>of</strong> sherds <strong>of</strong> green-glazed pottery suggest that the<br />

site was used during the Anglo-Norman period. <strong>The</strong>re is also substantial artefactual evidence<br />

that the site was occupied during the early medieval period – there were large numbers <strong>of</strong><br />

souterrain ware pottery sherds (as well as some unidentified wheel-thrown pottery); shale<br />

bracelets; iron bloom; and fragments <strong>of</strong> three rotary quernstones (one <strong>of</strong> which had a cross<br />

carved in low relief).<br />

Fig. 23: Plan <strong>of</strong> excavation at Doonmore, Co. Antrim (after Childe 1938).<br />

Reference:<br />

Childe, V. G. 1938. Doonmore, a castle mound near Fair Head, Co. Antrim. Ulster Journal <strong>of</strong><br />

Archaeology (Third Series), 1, 122–35.<br />

45

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!