The findspot of a Mesolithic Heavy-blade type flint scatter, found near the lower of the two Norse buildings and thought to have possibly been derived from roofing turves.
Prehistoric flint scatter.
A single worked prehistoric flint was recovered from Brack a Broom by CH Cowley, from the 'Curragh'.
No further details concerning the discovery were recorded and the grid reference relates to the farmstead for indicative purposes only.
The antiquary Charles Harry Cowley was an avid collector of worked flint and coarse stone artefacts revealed by agricultural activity, mainly on farms located around Peel, and occasionally from further afield. He was active from 1900 until 1943. His entire collection of artefacts, together with a daybook cataloguing his discoveries, was later donated to Manx National Heritage.
An alleged stone circle has been reported in this area. At SC 19927149 a "Circle of small stones about.... foot diameter in stony area.' has been noted. The site and its vicinity is on land falling precipitously to the north where survey would be difficult. When visited conditions for field investigation were ideal as much as the heather and grass had been burnt off beforehand, but though the area was closely examined no trace of a circle was found among the numerous erratic boulders. Owing to the steepness of the slope it is doubtful if a circle of archaeological interest ever existed here. Several visits have failed to find any evidence of the reported stone circle.
Oral tradition indicates that individuals mined copper in this area in the early nineteenth century but traces of fire-setting here may be older. Both lead and copper were mined in the 1860s, as part of the Bradda United Mines operation and, from 1866, that of Bradda Mines Ltd.
Surviving remains here include an engine house with chimney, smithy, various adits and shaft to 72 fathoms, on a platform some 4 to 6 metres above sea level. Spittall's shaft from the cliff top reached a depth of 79 fathoms and connected the North and South Bradda workings which were apparently also linked by an exposed (and long disappeared) walkway around the cliff face. A collapse scar below and east of the Milner Tower may mark the location of the main mineral lode exposed in the cliff faces.
Recorded nineteenth century outputs were low in comparison with Ballacorkish. Between 1850 and 1863, 203 tons lead and 146 tons copper were mined.
Attempts to access this mine are NOT recommended but quite attractive mineral samples can still be found in the area at the end of the track from Bradda West.
Oral tradition indicates that individuals mined copper in this area in the early nineteenth century but traces of fire-setting may be older. Both lead and copper were mined in the 1860s, as part of the Bradda United Mines operation and, from 1866, that of Bradda Mines Ltd. Surviving remains include: Engine house with chimney, smithy, various adits and shaft to 72 fathoms - on a platform 15 - 20 feet above sea level. Spittall's shaft from the cliff top reached 79 fathoms and connected the North and South Bradda workings which were apparently also linked by an exposed (and long gone) walkway around the cliff face. A collapse scar below and east of the Milner Tower may mark the location of the main mineral lode exposed in the cliff faces. Recorded nineteenth century outputs were low in comparison with Ballacorkish, for example: 1850 - 63, 203 tons of lead and 146 tons of copper. It is reiterated that attempts to access this mine are not recommended.
This 19th century lead mine is located in an area where there may have been very early mining activity. Stone mauls apparently associated with prehistoric copper mining have been recovered from near the South Bradda mine, which is also known as Minehough, at SC186697.
Lead was mined here under license from the Lord of Mann, in return for payment of royalties in kind. The "Lord's Dish" or royalty payment was 32 tons 13cwt of lead ore in 1699. The licensees at that time were individuals or groups, not companies. From 1710 both lead and copper were extracted. There are quite extensive adits and levels dating from 1850 to 1883 herem but there have been some recent collapses making the workings dangerous.
From across the bay, near the Lifeboat House, it is possible to see the engine house with chimney and the 30 fathom Shaft standing on a platform about 15 feet above high watermark, in front of the gleaming white quartz associated with the mineral outcrop. Sir W.W. Smyth described this in 1878 as, "the noblest surface exhibition of a mineral vein to be seen in Europe". A powder house and concrete water tank also survive here. An office building at the mine was planned by L.S. Garrad in 1884. This building may have been used for defense during the Second World War but was also later used by the then by a golf course.
The possible location of a medieval 'Watch and Ward' lookout. A document in the Castle Rushen Papers dated to 1627 mentions that the 'Hill for the Day Watch" in Rushen parish was at 'Bradoe', which is thought to refer to Bradda Hill. The grid reference relates to the highest point on the hill, but there is no guarantee that this was the location at which the watch was kept. A cairn of unknown date and purpose lies 55m to the east.
The corresponding 'Port for the Night Watch' for the parish was located at 'Port Yrne' (Port Erin).
It is thought that most Watch and Ward posts were maintained on the same sites from medieval times into post-medieval times.
This worn and weathered slab was found at Bradda Mooar, implying the presence of a now-lost keeill and burial ground. One face bears the faint remains of a geometric 'cross pattee' in relief, the shallow, flat recesses between the limbs now almost square in outline. A small equal-limbed cross is incised on each limb.
Earthwork complex. The site occupies steeply sloping ground falling eastwards towards the old and new parish churches of Braddan, and is characterised by substantial earthworks containing large, earth-fast boulders. The earthworks would appear once to have been more extensive, but are now curtailed on all sides by development or improved agricultural land.
Nineteenth century descriptions of the site suggested a defensive origin, drawing attention to a double rampart, and also claimed the existence of cup-mark motifs on some of the exposed boulders. Antiquarian interest in the Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles led to a suggestion that the site was a late 11th century fortification by the Norwegian king Magnus Barelegs. The Ordnance Survey (1869) annotated the site as 'Camp' and noted three groups of 'Inscribed Stones'. The site appears to have suffered damage during the First World War as a result of tree-felling and extraction.
Subsequent reassessment has shown that the site is not naturally defensible because of its topography, and that the earthworks themselves are not of a defensive character. The alleged double rampart is considered more likely a sunken trackway bounded by field banks.
The so-called cup-marks have proved elusive, only one having been found in recent times, and the boulders have generally been shown to be prey to more recent carving and inscription. These probably result from the use of the site for seasonal open-air church services which, during the early 20th century, drew large numbers of holidaymakers from the nearby capital of Douglas.
A small excavation in 1966, on the southern edge of the site ahead of the construction of a new vicarage, found a 13th century boundary and traces of slight structures and iron-working. Associated finds included 13th and 14th century locally-produced pottery and a silver penny of Edward III from the 1350s.
The industrial activity ceased after this time and a bank, part of the complex visible on the ground, was built over the deposits; it has been suggested that this small sample would imply that the visible earthworks are perhaps of later medieval date, and relate to the management and division of land associated with agriculture and possibly with a small community.
Earthwork complex. The site occupies steeply sloping ground falling eastwards towards the old and new parish churches of Braddan, and is characterised by substantial earthworks containing large, earth-fast boulders. The earthworks would appear once to have been more extensive, but are now curtailed on all sides by development or improved agricultural land.
Nineteenth century descriptions of the site suggested a defensive origin, drawing attention to a double rampart. Antiquarian interest in the Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles led to a suggestion that the site was a late 11th century fortification by the Norwegian king Magnus Barelegs. The Ordnance Survey (1869) annotated the site as 'Camp'. The site appears to have suffered damage during the First World War as a result of tree-felling and extraction.
Subsequent reassessment has shown that the site is not naturally defensible because of its topography, and that the earthworks themselves are not of a defensive character. The alleged double rampart is considered more likely a sunken trackway bounded by field banks.
A small excavation in 1966, on the southern edge of the site ahead of the construction of a new vicarage, found a 13th century boundary and traces of slight structures and iron-working. Associated finds included 13th and 14th century locally-produced pottery and a silver penny of Edward III from the 1350s.
The industrial activity ceased after this time and a bank, part of the complex visible on the ground, was built over the deposits; it has been suggested that this small sample would imply that the visible earthworks are perhaps of later medieval date, and relate to the management and division of land associated with agriculture and possibly with a small community.
Inscribed Stone. Exposed stones within the site bear a variety of markings, most of which have been ascribed to agricultural activity, Victorian and Edwardian graffiti, and damage associated with timber extraction during WW1. A potential cupmark has however been found, measuring 130mm across by 80mm deep.
Viking sword.
A Viking sword was found whilst gravedigging in Old Kirk Braddan churchyard in 1867. The find consisted of the upper part of the sword blade, both pommel and guard were missing.
The presence of the sword is taken to imply the existence of a Viking Age burial accompanied by gravegoods.
The object is in the Manx National Heritage collections, accession no. 1954-0458.
Fragment of the shaft of a free standing cross with a loop-form of plait on the shaft. It measures 33 centimetres high x 24 centimetres maximum width and 10 centimetresthick. It was found in the wall of the Braddan churchyard by William Cubbon in 1920 and is kept in the church. It is of Scandinavian date and is recorded as Manx Cross No 146.
A wheel-headed cross-slab with an incised cross of early form with interlace on its front face, and an inscribed cross on the other. It measures 183 centimetres x 43 centimetres x 9 centimetres. It is kept in Braddan Church and was set up at the stile by the west gate to the churchyard. It is thought to be pre-Scandanavian in date and is numbered as Manx Cross No. 78 (56).
This stone was found near the church. It is a rectangular slab, broken down its length. One face is very weathered, but the other still bears a simple cross in outline, the arms surrounded by a ring, and the head and shaft extended.
This broken slab was found c.1856 in a wall near to the church. It bears a cross carved in relief with curved and expanded arms set in a ring. The lower arm is extended to form a tapering shaft, on which the ring is supported. A small circle is incised in the centre of the cross.
This small fragment was found at the church, but is now lost. A cast in the Manx Museum collections suggests that it may be a fragment from Manx Cross 136.
This fragment of sandstone was found in 1920 in the churchyard wall. It is probably derived from the shaft of a pillar cross. One face is flaked away, but the other shows a three-stranded loop plait. One edge shows remains of a twist-and-ring design, and the other a row of triquetra knots.
