Archaeology
- Title
- Archaeology
Items
Killabrega, Craigmooar Keeill
This is thought to be the possible site of an early medieval keeill or chapel, which has been hidden in a thick forestry plantation in modern times. The foundations of a building measuring 4.6 metres by 3.2 metres and evidence of graves have reportedly been seen here. The placename is said to possibly be a corruption of St Bridget or Breaga.
Killane Corn Mill
A corn mill is shown here on the 1869 I:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map. The original mill buildings may survive within a range of larger, modern buildings which now occupy this coast-edge site at the mouth of the Killane River. In the 19th century a large, dammed millpond existed to the east of the mill, fed by the river.
Killane Mill Lime Kiln
A lime kiln shown at this location on the 1870 1:2500 Ordnance Survey map has been lost to coastal erosion.
Killeaba Burial
A scattered cremation burial is also dated to this period by its associated food vessel. A smaller, broken food vessel north of this burial may be a slightly later insertion. The possibility of a ritual smashing of this pot should be considered, but could not be proved. There remain the three miniature cists (IV, V and VI) all of which are almost certainly late features of the site. Cists IV and V are dug into earlier sand layers, Cist V in particular cuts through the fill of the large cist III, while Cist IV is located in a shallow scoop just under the topsoil. The unenclosed skin-bag cremation, which lies in the filled trench of Cist I, must also belong to this latest phase. An enigmatic oval platform of rough stones was found on the North slope of the mound, but it could not be dated and might relate to either period, or indeed some other time.
Killeaba Burial Mound
This is the location of a Neolithic to Bronze Age funerary site. A 'mound of considerable dimensions' with a cist containing pottery and what was probably cremated human bones was first noted by Oswald who referred to an inspection of the site by W. Kermode when it was first ploughed about 1850. By 1880 the mound had been 'considerably reduced'.
It survived as a large grass-covered mound whose slopes flowed gradually without break into the surrounding ground. Its diameter was 40.0 metres and minimum height 2.0 metres. Despite the finds of prehistoric burials here in the 19th century, the mound was thought itself to be a natural feature.
The mound was excavated in 1968-69 in advance of building development when it was confirmed that it was indeed of natural origin, a glacial moraine, but that it had been utilised as a repository for at least eleven cremations and an inhumation of late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age dating. Finds include two urns of Ronaldsway type, three Early Bronze Age food-vessels, flint flakes and knife, arrowhead and worked stone.
Taking into consideration the radiocarbon dates, the pottery evidence, the types of burials and the stratigraphical inter-relationships where these are demonstrable, the site appears to be of two periods, Ronaldsway followed by Early Bronze Age. The initial feature appears to be the burning pit, sited just to the south of the summit of the natural mound. Three timber-lined pits were grouped around this pit on the southeast slope of the mound, two containing evidence of cremation. A fourth timber-lined pit with an associated skin-bag cremation was inserted further to the southeast. Three further shallow deposits of cremated remains were found.
The probable etymology of Killeaba or Cor-Ihiabbagh is 'the nook or corner of the tomb' or 'the grove of the tomb'.
Killeaba Urn Burial
Burials found within the Neolithic to Bronze Age funerary site at Killeaba.
The site produced two vessels of Ronaldsway type. A large urn was inserted at the highest point of the mound, North of the burning pit, its mouth apparently in part covered by a slab of stone pierced by a circular hole. The insertion of this urn post-dates the initial construction of the burning pit, which, however, may have been re-used subsequently. The smaller urn was positioned above a timber-lined pit, possibly at the time this pit was filled in. To the South a further pit of comparable size contained a roughly rectangular setting of stone similar to stone settings in some of the timber-lined pits. The stratigraphy indicates that this pit was constructed after the filling in of the first one. An enigmatic oval platform of rough stones was found on the North slope of the mound, but it could not be dated and might relate to either period, or indeed some other time. Cremated bone not associated with structures may also date from this period.
Killkellan, Ballabeg, Lonan
Medieval chapel, burial ground, lintel graves and Bronze Age burials.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the site of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly named Killkellan, together with the annotation, 'Site of Chapel & Burial Ground'. The OS places a marker within a small enclosure to the east of the road, which is defined by a curvilinear field boundary.
The Manx Archaeological Survey (1915) recorded that many graves had been found in the locality, and that more came to light when the Manx Electric Railway was constructed in in 1894. The Survey draws attention to the nearby watercourse, Strooan ny Killane (stream of the chapel), though it could find no memory locally of the dedication of the chapel, and records that prehistoric urns had also previously been found when the adjacent school was constructed.
A Royal Commission field inspector noted in 1976 that there was no trace of the site and that it had been obliterated by the construction of the railway, residential development and an occupation road.
Killkellan, Ballabeg, Lonan
Medieval chapel.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the site of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly named Killkellan, together with the annotation, 'Site of Chapel & Burial Ground'. The OS places a marker within a small enclosure to the east of the road, which is defined by a curvilinear field boundary.
The Manx Archaeological Survey (1915) is silent on the record made by Dr J Bradbury (1894) that 'rude foundations' within the enclosure might represent the remains of the chapel, and instead drew attention to the nearby watercourse, Strooan ny Killane (stream of the chapel), on the basis of which it inferred the existence of a chapel. It could find no memory locally of a dedication. A field to the west of the main road traditionally bore the name Bwoailley Khallane (Chapel fold), which would appear to reinforce the view that a chapel had formerly been present.
A Royal Commission field inspector noted in 1976 that there was no trace of the site and that the site had been obliterated by modern development.
Killkellan, Ballabeg, Lonan
Medieval burial ground.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the site of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly named Killkellan, together with the annotation, 'Site of Chapel & Burial Ground'. The OS places a marker within a small enclosure to the east of the road, which is defined by a curvilinear field boundary.
The enclosure survives today, forming the curtilage boundary of a dwelling, though a Royal Commission field inspector noted in 1976 that otherwise there was no trace of the site and that it had been obliterated by the construction of the railway, residential development and an occupation road.
Killkellan, Ballabeg, Lonan
Medieval lintel graves.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the site of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly named Killkellan, together with the annotation, 'Site of Chapel & Burial Ground'. The OS places a marker within a small enclosure to the east of the road, which is defined by a curvilinear field boundary.
Dr J Bradbury (1894), when describing the nearby archaeological discoveries at the time he was writing, recorded the earlier discovery of a few lintel graves in the enclosure, when sand was removed for the construction of Lonan All Saints Church. The church was completed in 1833, so the discovery would appear to have occurred just prior.
There is no record of any further discoveries during residential development that has taken place since.
Killkellan, Ballabeg, Lonan
Medieval lintel graves.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the site of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly named Killkellan, together with the annotation, 'Site of Chapel & Burial Ground'. The OS places a marker within a small enclosure to the east of the road, which is defined by a curvilinear field boundary.
Dr J Bradbury (1894), when describing the nearby archaeological discoveries at the time he was writing, recorded the earlier discovery of lintel graves in the field to the east of the road, which at the time bore the name, the Cronk. This relates to Ordnance Survey Field no. 2520, and would appear to indicate the sometime presence of a raised mound or hillock. It is not altogether clear from his description, but Bradbury would appear to be referring to the more southerly part of the field. He notes that these discoveries were made on more than one occasion and were the result of agricultural activity.
Aside from the discoveries made during the later construction of the railway, there is no record of any further finds during nearby residential development.
Killkellan, Ballabeg, Lonan
Medieval lintel graves.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the site of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly named Killkellan, together with the annotation, 'Site of Chapel & Burial Ground'. The OS places a marker within a small enclosure to the east of the road, which is defined by a curvilinear field boundary.
Dr J Bradbury (1894) describes the discovery at the time he was writing, of a 'series of graves', during construction of the Manx Electric Railway. All were lintel graves, and some 46 of them were opened; they were found to contain human skeletons, many of which crumbled on exposure. Bradbury describes the graves as being arranged in rows, but gathered into groups of three. The graves were closely spaced, but each group was separated from the next by about 3m.
The location of the discovery is not clear from Bradbury's description, but the arrangement would imply that the graves covered an extensive area along the line of the railway.
Killkellan, Ballabeg, Lonan
Bronze Age burials.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the site of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly named Killkellan, together with the annotation, 'Site of Chapel & Burial Ground'. The OS places a marker within a small enclosure to the east of the road, which is defined by a curvilinear field boundary.
Dr J Bradbury (1894), when describing the nearby archaeological discoveries at the time he was writing, recorded the earlier discovery of 'urns, fragments of bone, burnt ashes, and other evidences of Pagan burial', when sand was removed from the site for the construction of Lonan All Saints Church. The church was completed in 1833, so the discovery would appear to have occurred just prior.
No similar discoveries within the site have since been reported.
Killkellan, Ballabeg, Lonan
Bronze Age burials.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867 shows the site of a chapel and burial ground at this location, formerly named Killkellan, together with the annotation, 'Site of Chapel & Burial Ground'. The OS places a marker within a small enclosure to the east of the road, which is defined by a curvilinear field boundary.
Dr J Bradbury (1894), when describing the nearby archaeological discoveries at the time he was writing, recorded the previous discovery in the field to the west of the road, of 'many urns?unearthed at various times' which he considered to be a continuation of the prehistoric cemetery described under PRN 0657.60.
Bradbury must be referring to OS Field no. 2507, and notes that it traditionally bore the name Bwoailley Khallane (chapel field). It is clear from his description that, despite its name, the field had only yielded prehistoric burials to his knowledge.
No similar discoveries within the field have since been reported.
Kimmeragh Flint Scatter
The findspot of an early prehistoric flint scatter consisting of 8 waste flakes.
King Orry's Grave
Bronze Age burial mound. The obvious feature is the large burial cist, the cap- and side stones of which are exposed in the roadside hedge. The burial chamber was originally covered by a large circular mound, half of which was cut away for road widening in 1848. The mound would appear to have been about 18m in diameter and 2m high before the roadway was widened and deepened.
The cist measures 1.3 by 0.8m and 0.9m deep, while the capstone has maximum dimensions of 2.1 by 1.3 by 0.3m.
King Orry's Grave
Neolithic chambered tomb. Despite its name, which is an invention of local folklore, the tomb was begun as much as 6,000 years ago, and comprises two separate chambered monuments. It is a rare example of two such tombs built in such close proximity that they have become confused as one. The two tombs were probably constructed several hundred years apart.
The westerly tomb comprises two rectangular chambers built using massive slabs of local stone which may have been collected from several miles around. The original construction involved the chamber nearer the house, but a second, subdivided chamber was later built and a forecourt added at the end furthest to the south-west which took the form of a shallow horseshoe overlooking the nearby gully and the main Laxey valley. Only one tall stone and the stumps of several others survive to indicate how these standing stones held back a cairn of rubble which was built up over the burial chambers. The early part of the structure is comparable with Cotwold tombs, whilst the forecourt is reminiscent of tombs in south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland.
King Orry's Grave
Neolithic chambered tomb. Despite its name, which is an invention of local folklore, the tomb was begun as much as 5,500 years ago, and comprises two separate chambered monuments. It is a rare example of two such tombs built in such close proximity that they have become confused as one. The two tombs were probably constructed several hundred years apart.
The easterly tomb, which faces north-east, consists of a segmented chamber of at least three compartments covered by a trapezoidal-shaped cairn with a deep U-shaped forecourt and a fa?ade of impressive slabs linked by dry-stone walling and two fine portal stones. It is possible that the chamber extended further, but has been cut away by the construction of a road and a house during the 19th century. The portal is now blocked by a stone which may have fallen or been deliberately placed in front. The entire forecourt is also closed off by a line of stones placed between the tips of the horns, but it is not entirely clear if this is a deliberate act of closure during prehistoric times or a more recent structure associated with agricultural activity in the area in modern times.
King Orry's Grave
The site of a Neolithic barrow. It is shown on the 1870 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map.
King Orry's Grave, Laxey, Lonan
Neolithic chambered tomb. King Orry's Grave is one of perhaps ten Neolithic chambered tombs that are known on the Island. Despite its name, which is an invention of local folklore, the tomb was begun as much as 5,000 years ago, and comprises two separate chambered monuments. It is a rare example in the British Isles of two such tombs built in such close proximity that they have become confused as one. The two tombs were probably constructed several hundred years apart.
The westerly tomb comprises two rectangular chambers built using massive slabs of local stone which may have been collected from several miles around. The original construction involved the chamber nearer the house, but a second chamber was later built and a forecourt added at the end furthest to the south-west which took the form of a shallow horseshoe overlooking the nearby gully and the main Laxey valley. Only one tall stone and the stumps of several others survive to indicate how these standing stones held back a cairn of rubble which was built up over the burial chambers. The early part of the structure is comparable with Cotwold tombs, whilst the forecourt is reminiscent of tombs in south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The easterly tomb, which faces north-east, consists of a segmented chamber of at least three compartments covered by a trapezoidal-shaped cairn with a deep U-shaped forecourt and a facade of impressive slabs linked by dry-stone walling and two fine portal stones. It is possible that the chamber extended further, but has been cut away by the construction of a road and a house during the 19th century. The portal is now blocked by a stone which may have fallen or been deliberately placed in front. The entire forecourt is also closed off by a line of stones placed between the tips of the horns, but it is not entirely clear if this is a deliberate act of closure during prehistoric times or a more recent structure associated with agricultural activity in the area in modern times.
King Orrys Grave Burial
It is recorded that Mr Frank Matthews of Glen Moar opened a cist grave on the Peel side of the megalithic tomb known as King Orry's Grave (PRN 0934.00). This grave was said to be 'much smaller in size' than the megalithic tomb, but was found to contain a 'battle-axe, a stirrup and a handful of beads of various colours, shapes and sizes'. The beads and ornaments were preserved in the Jermyn Street Geological Museum, London for some time during the mid-19th century, but now appear to be lost. The 'battle-axe and stirrup' could not be traced even as early as 1868. The finds have been interpreted as representing a Viking burial, possibly of the 9th century.
A burial ground apparently stood 'on the Western edge of the natural plateau on which stands Tynwald Hill, about 193 yards West-South-West of the mound... Here, at a height above sea-level of about 145 foot, lintel graves have been found in ploughing, and from the description given of them by Mr Matthews, and the stones found in them, now lying in the hedge, they appear to have been Christian' but no keeill was found in association with them...'.
A sword fragment from the same vicinity was presented to the Manx Museum in 1937 by Mr T.C. Moore who stated that it was found some years previously by workmen employed in digging gravel.
King Orrys Grave Flint Site
The findspot of eight flint implements, flakes and cores, from the vicinity of St Johns megalithic burial cist.
King William's College Book of Remembrance, Castletown (IOM_NIWM_CAS_00014)
List of 131 names over six pages and Coat of Arms. Some names listed in red ink, possibly those that fell. First World War.
King William's College Memorial to the Indian Mutiny 1857, Castletown (IOM_NIWM_CAS_00013)
Indian Mutiny. Marble plaque.
King William's College War Memorial, Castletown (IOM_NIWM_CAS_00006)
Plaques on four sides of the memorial obelisk. Side facing Castletown inscription as follows: "Pro Patria / 1914-1918." Below is a list of 71 names. Side facing Derbyhaven: "Pro Patria / 1914-1918." Further list of 65 names, continuing alphabetically. Side facing towards college/airport : "Pro-Patria / 1939-1945." Below is a list of 38 names. Side facing towards the college chapel: "Pro Patria / 1939-1945." Further list of 39 names, continuing alphabetically.
First and Second World Wars.
Constructed from Cornish grey granite with Celtic cross on top and sword with Manx emblem on main column. Names are on bronze tablets. Unveiled on Friday 28 July 1922 by Sir George Beatson, M.D, K.C.B. Dedicated by Right Rev. James Denton Thompson, Bishop of Man. Designed by Ronald F. Dodd of Oxford, son of T.M. Dodd of Castletown. Built by messrs W.H. Avtell and co. of Oxford. (Mona's Herald, 2 August 1922, p.5).