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Skyhill, Magher ny Hoarn Burial Ground

Archaeology

Medieval burial ground. The remains of a raised enclosure are contained within a sub-rectangular fenced boundary measuring 27 by 14m. This is thought to represent a cemetery which is likely to have once extended further; the field name appears to translate as the 'barley field', and the west and east sides of the enclosure appear to have been truncated by ploughing.


The burial ground is raised about 1m above the surrounding field. In the centre is a cist-like feature, which measures 1.0 m x 0.4 m x 0.6 m deep. It is considered too small to be either Bronze Age or a lintel grave. Several large stones are exposed, apparently by trenching, and two erect stones at the north end of the enclosure appear to mark an entrance.


The site was investigated by the Manx Archaeological Survey (1915). The trenches would appear to be the result of their excavations. The Survey recorded the burial ground as pear-shaped, with its wider end to the south. At the extreme southern end two standing stones appeared to define a second entrance, much as that still visible to the north. Paving stones appeared to mark a short path leading north to the doorway of the chapel.


The investigation also showed that a pathway led south from the northern entrance of the enclosure as far as the chapel, and that an additional path appeared to cross at least half of the surviving width of the enclosure from east to west. The remainder of the enclosure was not tested for burials.

Skyhill, Churchtown

Connections

Book Chapters

  • Parish: Lezayre
  • Sheading: Ayre
  • Grid Ref: SC4262093100

Sources

  • Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record
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