Archaeology

Items

Nobles Hospital
Roman coin. A 4th century Roman coin was found at Noble's Hospital, on Westmorland Road in Douglas in 1951. No further information is available and the grid reference reflects the centre of the hospital site at that time. The coin is a 3rd brass of Emperor Constans (337-350). The object is in the collections of Manx National Heritage, accession no. 1954-6671.
Normandy Campaign Memorial, Ridgeway Street, Douglas
Inscription reads as follows: "NVA / Normandy / 1944 / In grateful memory of those / who fought and gave their lives / in the / Normandy Campaign / 1944 / Normandy Veterans Association Isle of Man." Plaque. Second World War. Information provided by the Isle of Man Government Preservation of War Memorials Committee. Image courtesy of Chris Blyth, Isle of Man Photographic Society.
Normandy Veteran's Association War Memorial, Royal Chapel of St John the Baptist, St John's (IOM_NIWM_GER_00008)
No names listed. Second World War. Marble plaque bearing the N.V.A. badge. The plaque was affixed to the wall in its current location in November 2004, and dedicated at the Armistice Sunday service. (Letter dated 25 February 2005 signed by E.S. Hannath, Esq., M.B.E, Hon. Secretary of the N.V.A.).
North Abbey Cottage, Ballasalla
A post-medieval cottage at Ballasalla.
North Grawe Horsewalk
Modern horsewalk. The Ordnance Survey First Edition 1:2500 map of 1868 shows a horsewalk at this location. The structure still survives.
North Keeill Cross Site, Maughold
Medieval carved stone cross. The site was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey (1915). A carved stone cross (Manx Cross 24) was recovered, re-used in a lintel grave, on the north side of the keeill.
North Keeill, Maughold
Medieval chapel and burial ground. The site was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey (1915). The chapel is orientated ESE-WNW, and measures 4.7 by 2.8m internally. The walls are 0.7m thick, and stand 0.8m high from the floor, which is now cobbled. The Survey found no trace of an altar, nor windows, though a recess or aumbry was noted in the 'north' wall. The door is in the 'west' gable. The chapel stands within a slightly raised area, which the Survey took to represent a cemetery earlier than the present parish graveyard: lintel graves and unlined inhumations were noted, and two carved stone crosses recovered from separate graves.
North Keeill, Maughold
Medieval chapel. The site was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey (1915). The chapel is orientated ESE-WNW, and measures 4.7 by 2.8m internally. The walls are 0.7m thick, and stand 0.8m high from the floor, which is now cobbled. The Survey found no trace of an altar, nor windows, though a recess or aumbry was noted in the 'north' wall. The door is in the 'west' gable.
North Keeill, Maughold Burial Ground
Medieval burial ground. The site was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey (1915). The chapel stands within a slightly raised area, which the Survey took to represent a cemetery earlier than the present parish graveyard: lintel graves and unlined inhumations were noted, and two carved stone crosses recovered.
North Keeill, Maughold Cross Slab
A slab which was the covering stone of a lintel grave.  It has a cross with a circle incised on one face. It was found at North Keeill in 1894 and is now kept in Maughold Cross House (Manx Cross No. 24).  The slab measures 93.5 centimetres high x 32.5 centimetres maximum width and 4 centimetres thick.
North Quay Fish Processing Plant, Douglas
The site of a 19th century fish processing plant on the North Quay, Douglas. It was operational in 1823.
North Quay Pavilion, Douglas
The North Quay Pavilion consists of a cast iron pavilion with glazed walls and a slate roof. The expression of the structural frame is functional and the elaborate detailing of nonstructural panels creates a human scale It has an 'atmosphere' appropriate to tourism. The entrances are marked by decorated protruding canopies and the upper level of the roof is broken for a ventilation ridge chamber again marked by an elaboration of ornament at the eaves and ridge. The interior has not been inspected. There are no visual signs of structural deterioration although the building appears neglected and it is understood that the roof leaks. Many of the panels are in need of replacement although the present use of the building as an amusement arcade masks any potential of quality to the casual observer. It is suggested that there are no other comparable buildings of this architectural type on the island and that there is an architectural quality of expression worth preserving.
Northcroft
A post-medieval house in Castletown.
Nunnery Howe Flint Scatter
The findspot of a Mesolithic flint scatter.  The flints were collected from the surface, where they had been disturbed by rabbits burrowing. The finds include one core and four blades and flakes. They are now kept in the Manx Museum.
Nunnery Howe Horsewalk
Modern horsewalk. The Ordnance Survey First Edition 1:2500 map of 1868 shows a horsewalk at this location. This 19th century horse walk was formerly roofed. It is now demolished.
Nunnery Howe House
The site of a post medieval house.
Nunnery Mill
Modern watermill. The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867-8 depicts two watermills at this location, annotated as 'Nunnery Mill (Corn)'.
Nunnery Mill
Modern watermill. The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867-8 depicts two watermills at this location, annotated as 'Nunnery Mill (Corn)'. The grid reference relates to the more westerly mill.
Nunnery Mill
Modern watermill. The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867-8 depicts two watermills at this location, annotated as 'Nunnery Mill (Corn)'. The grid reference relates to the easterly mill.
Nunnery Mill
Modern weir. The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867-8 depicts a weir at this location, from which water was drawn off the River Douglas to power the Nunnery Mill. A modern weir now stands in this location.
Nunnery Mill
Modern mill leat. The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867-8 shows a mill leat leading water 380m from the River Douglas to power the Nunnery Mill. The leat is traceable throughout its length, but only contains water for the first 240m, at which point a sluice empties back into the river. The grid reference is located at the midpoint of the mill leat for indicative purposes.
Nunnery Mill
Modern tail race. The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1867-8 shows a short tail race leading water from the Nunnery mills back into the River Douglas. The tail race is infilled and the riverbank now obscured by modern river defences.
Oakleigh House
Oakleigh House is a large detached residence, constructed of red brick which is exposed at the ground floor. The treatment of the second floor varies from the front, where half timbered gables create a picturesque facade, to vertically hung red tiles at the rear and sides from which viewpoints the house has a much more massive appearance. The whole is co-ordinated by a red tile roof punctuated by dormers and Jacobean chimneys. The rear elevation is marked by a heavy two storey octagonal bay window on the north east corner and a projecting tile roofed porch extending along the balance of the garden facade to greenhouses. Although the interior was not inspected it is understood that there is an amount of built-in furniture in one Dining Room and a fine French medieval style carved stone fireplace in the hall. The property seems to be well maintained and has remained in a condition close to the original as regards its external appearance. The building has architectural significance in that it is one of the few examples of design by Baillie Scott, an internationally recognised architect. The style is again a blend of 'shingle' and pseudo Tudor but imaginatively resolved. The siting is somewhat cramped to the front but expansive to the rear.