There is a possible settlement in the wider area here, said to include a "camp" but also a system of modern field boundaries and a trackway. These features represent a system of farming and field lay-out which was decaying at the time of the Ordnance Survey map of 1869. They consist of field banks which fit into the field lay-out shown on the 1869 map but which has since been superseded by different field boundaries. The trackway also fits into this old farming method and no doubt served as communication between an outlying sheep-fold and the farm.
The site of two hut circles, thought to be of Iron Age date set on a tongue of land between two streams with precipitous slopes on three sides. Hut A has an external diameter of 7.0 m and the height of the wall bases is 0.5 m. There is a vague trace of an entrance in the northwest side. Hut B is misshapen and elongated measuring 7.0 m northeast to southwest by 6.0 m northwest to southeast. The average height of its walls is 0.3 m. There is no trace of an entrance.
The huts have spread walls now approximate 1.5 m wide and appear to be built on a slightly raised mound. P.S. Gelling records these as medieval shieling mounds.
The site of the burial ground of an early medieval keeill or chapel, thought to have been in use during the period circa AD500 to circa AD1000. No traces remain of the keeill as the site has long been ploughed over. A broken slab bearing the beginning of an inscription in runes - 'Thorbjorn raised this cross...' was found in the stackyard wall of Rhyne farm and is now in the Manx Museum (Cross Slab. No 139). Slight evidence for the burial ground enclosure associated with the keeill has been noted, but this too have been almost totally ploughed out.
The site of an early medieval keeill or chapel, thought to have been in use during the period circa AD500 to circa AD1000.
No traces remain of the keeill as the site has long been ploughed over. A broken slab bearing the beginning of an inscription in runes - 'Thorbjorn raised this cross...' was found in the stackyard wall of Rhyne farm and is now in the Manx Museum (Cross Slab. No 139). There is nothing to indicate the date of this keeill but the finding of this monument shows it was still in use for burial as late as the 12th century.
Slight evidence for the burial ground enclosure associated with the keeill has been noted, but these too have been almost totally ploughed out.
Ringfort. This well preserved circular earthwork, set in marshy ground, has an overall diameter of 30m and consists of two concentric banks separated by a medial ditch and a central platform. The diameter of the inner bank top is 8m. In the north-east there is a causeway 3m wide across the ditch and corresponding breaks in both banks creating an entranceway.
The site is unexcavated, but superficially appears similar to sites like Ballacagen and Port e Candas.
This end of terrace two storey cottage has been completely modernised including the finishing of the attic space with the placement of roof light windows. The building occupies a prominent position in that it forms the corner of Bridge and Douglas Streets while backing onto the harbour entrance. The original cement rough cast stucco and the slate roof have been renewed and the original windows replaced including the insertion of a bowed window in place of two earlier sash windows at the eastern end of the main facade. The entrance which fronts directly onto the driving surface of the road is framed in a neo-classical portico of a later addition. The house appears to be in first class condition although no interior inspection has been made. In view of the extent of modernisation which has taken place there would appear to be no strong reason to consider listing this building for preservation. It is not known if there are any over-riding historical events or personalities associated with the cottage, but there are no obvious attributes which would single it out for special treatment. The main consideration concerns the siting of the structure and whether demolition would destroy the essential massing or character of the immediate grouping. It is true that demolition would alter the character of this corner and it might be argued that the traffic hazzard posed by the present configuration threatens the life of this building. Yet these factors do not seem sufficiently strong to warrant a specific listing of the Rock.
This assessment was prepared prior to the existence of Registered Building or Conservation Area legislation on the Isle of Man with a view to determining whether or not the site was worthy of protection.
In the event, the property was not afforded individual protection, but has been included within the town's conservation area.
Modern horsewalk.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 First Edition mapping of 1869 shows a horsewalk at this location.
The entire farmstead, comprising house, barn (to which the horsewalk platform was attached on the north side) and one other outbuilding, has been demolished.
Late/Post medieval gun battery. The round battery on Horse Rock was constructed during the reign of Henry VIII. It provided three embrasures for cannon and was designed to enhance the protection of the castle and Peel Bay against enemy shipping.
The "Round Table" or "Boaryd Runt" is a flat topped, ditchless, heather-covered mound with a diameter of 10.0 metres and a height of 0.7 metres which has rather angular sides. It is possibly a bowl barrow.
The Ordnance Survey 1:2500 large scale mapping published in 1870 shows a mine entrance at the grid reference provided, together with the annotation, 'Lead Mine'.
The working appears to have been quite short-lived, suggesting that it may have been little more than a trial.
The site was excavated by Jeffcott circa 1896. Although the remains of about 24 huts were identified nothing remarkable was then discovered. 'There is said to be an artificially-built causeway connecting the two parts of Burro Moar, at any rate, there would appear to be the remains of an earthwork fortification'. There also appears to be an avenue running East-West made from two rows of upright stones, some of which seem to be out of position and others have been taken away to build adjoining hedges. Inside this presumed avenue there do not appear to be any remains of dwellings . Situated on a hill sloping to the southeast this heather covered settlement consists of eight raised mounds of the Block Eary type which are classified as probably Dark Age. Also in the area are some eight features of approximate 7.0 metres diameter with outer rims varying from three quarters to one quarter of the circumference of a circle with the rim average 0.4 metres high and 2.0 metres wide. Within are slit trenches of the 1914-18 type. Some are very similar to hut circles but their true origin, i.e. outer ramparts of modern weapon pits, can be detected by careful examination, particularly from the rocks above. In any case their scooped out interiors are out of character with the main settlement feature - i.e. the raised mound. The raised mounds are built up from 0.5 to 1.0 metres to form flat tops. Overall diameters vary from 7.0 to 10.0 metres. At least one is rather vague but with slight traces of an inner rim. Another is an elongated mound orientated east to west with overall measurements of 15.0 by 8.0 metres and built up to a height of 1.0 metres. The length of the flat top is 10.0 metres from it the vague remains a stone wall consisting of 6 stones extends to the northeast. The largest stone is 0.8 metres high by 0.7 by 0.3 metres.
Medieval burial ground.
The Manx Archaeological Survey (1968) notes that the repeated discovery of lintel graves through ploughing, cattle poaching and the erosion of the soft cliffline behind the modern houses, indicates the presence of a medieval burial ground.
The existence of a burial-ground on the gravel platform bordering the coast was known to the older inhabitants long before any published account of it. Roeder (1897) records local knowledge amongst older inhabitants of the presence of burials; a lintel-grave was uncovered by ploughing in 1918; and another burial was found in 1926, this time marked by quartzite boulders rather than the more usual protective slabs.
The Survey noted that, due to active erosion of sand from the scarp, several lintel graves were exposed from 1961 onwards, and subsequently in 1963 surveyed the three graves visible at the time. The Survey later commented that many more graves appeared to have been lost without record when the modern houses were built, and that erosion of the sand was liable to expose more.
At present (2016) the slope has stabilised and revegetated.
Medieval chapel.
The Manx Archaeological Survey (1968) notes that the site lies within the landholding of Kyrke Sansan, and that the old name for the neighbouring shore, Ennaug, may indicate the former existence of a fair or assembly place. On the strength of this, and the traditional regard in which the area has been held, the Survey suggests that a chapel may have existed on the site.
Medieval chapel and burial ground.
The Manx Archaeological Survey (1968) notes that the site lies within the landholding of Kyrke Sansan, and that the old name for the neighbouring shore, Ennaug, may indicate the former existence of a fair or assembly place. On the strength of this, and the traditional regard in which the area has been held, the Survey suggests that a chapel may have existed on the site.
More certainly, the repeated discovery of lintel graves through ploughing, cattle poaching and the erosion of the soft cliffline behind the modern houses, indicates the presence of a medieval burial ground.
The existence of a burial-ground on the gravel platform bordering the coast was known to the older inhabitants long before any published account of it. Roeder (1897) records local knowledge amongst older inhabitants of the presence of burials; a lintel-grave was uncovered by ploughing in 1918; and another burial was found in 1926, this time marked by quartzite boulders rather than the more usual protective slabs.
The Survey noted that, due to active erosion of sand from the scarp, several lintel graves were exposed from 1961 onwards, and subsequently in 1963 surveyed the three graves visible at the time. The Survey later commented that many more graves appeared to have been lost without record when the modern houses were built, and that erosion of the sand was liable to expose more.
At present (2016) the slope has stabilised and revegetated.
Horsewalk.
Following use as a smelthouse and metalworking shop, the building was converted to agricultural uses in the early 19th century, and was later used as a threshing barn after a horsewalk was installed. The remains of the raised platform on which the horse walked, driving a mill within the building, can still be seen.
18th century smelthouse. These are the remains of a smelt-house built at Derbyhaven by John Murrey in 1711 as a warehouse and smelting-hearth in connection with the lead-mining industry, although it seems mainly to have served as a metalworking shop. Conversion to agricultural uses in the early 19th century involved complete reroofing, the blocking of some original openings and construction of new ones. It is certainly one of the few major early 18th century buildings erected specifically for an industrial purpose in the Island and was possibly one of the oldest surviving examples of its kind in Britain.
18th century smelthouse.
The structure represents the remains of a smelt-house built at Derbyhaven by John Murrey in 1711 as a warehouse and smelting-hearth in connection with the lead-mining industry, although it seems mainly to have served as a metalworking shop. Later alterations obscured some of its earlier features and the only the south wall now survives.
It is certainly one of the few major early 18th century buildings erected specifically for an industrial purpose in the Island and was possibly one of the oldest surviving examples of its kind in Britain.
Modern smelting mill.
The Ordnance Survey First Edition 1:2500 map of 1868 shows the placename 'The Smelt' at the recorded grid reference.
The placename is thought to refer to the presence of a smelthouse, once operated under licence from the Lord of Man.
A single-storey structure containing two rooms, one of which is used as a blacksmith's workshop and forge.
Originally this was a thatched dwelling, which later had an extension added to its south gable. The north gable has been rebuilt, truncating the original cottage by around 2.5 metres, and destroying evidence for the hearth. Nevertheless, photographic evidence shows a chimney stack on this gable whilst the structure was roofed with thatch. The extension was served by a separate doorway (now blocked) adjacent to the original south gable of the cottage.
Once the cottage became roofless, and after the northerly gable was rebuilt, a wooden structure with a felted roof was built within the space, its front wall parallel to, but set back from, the front of the cottage. The line of this wall is apparent in the paving slabs which cover the floor. The wooden structure appears to have served for a time as a tea-room, but was derelict by 1958. The extension to the south, meanwhile, was maintained with a corrugated iron roof until this time, when ownership was transferred to the Manx Museum and National Trust.
In 1959 the building was consolidated, and re-roofed throughout. By the addition of a flue within the southerly extension, this part of the building was converted into a forge and smithy in order to demonstrate tradition craftsmanship.
Single storey structure containing two rooms, one of which is used as a blacksmith's workshop and forge. Originally constructed before 1868 (present on Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st edition map of that date).
Originally a thatched dwelling, to the south gable of which an extension was added. The north gable has been rebuilt, truncating the original cottage by around 2.5m, and destroying evidence for the hearth. Nevertheless, photographic evidence shows a chimney stack on this gable whilst the structure was roofed with thatch. The extension was served by a separate doorway (now blocked) adjacent to the original south gable of the cottage.
Once the cottage became roofless, and after the northerly gable was rebuilt, a wooden structure with a felted roof was built within the space, its front wall parallel to, but set back from, the front of the cottage. The line of this wall is apparent in the paving slabs which cover the floor. The wooden structure appears to have served for a time as a tea-room, but was in ruins by 1958. The extension to the south, meanwhile, was maintained with a corrugated iron roof until this time, when ownership was transferred to the Manx Museum and National Trust.
In 1959 the building was consolidated, and re-roofed throughout. By the addition of a flue within the southerly extension, this part of the building was converted into a forge and smithy in order to demonstrate tradition craftsmanship.