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Greeba Mills Keeill

Archaeology

The site of an early medieval chapel or keeill, thought to have been in use between circa AD500 and AD1000 at Greeba Mills.  The site is marked on the 1869 1:2500 scale Ordnance Survey map in field plot 2987.


No trace of the keeill remains but in the past a Mr Watterson discovered five lintel graves, each about 6 feet long and lined with large flags, when he was excavating for the enlargement of outhouses. Many of these large flags are now built into the adjoining walls.


A small slab pierced by a pointed star-shaped figure, possibly from a window of the keeill, was built into one of the outhouses. It was removed in 1948 and is now kept at the Manx Museum (No 170).  A large broken slab, pierced by a countersunk hole, may have formed the lintel of a door. 


An early cross-slab incised on both faces, was found on this site 'many years ago'  (No 38. Now kept at Peel Castle Museum).  


It was feared that the site of a keeill was being damaged by ploughing after a plaited gold ring (PRN 0967.00) was found in 1982 and therefore a trial excavation was undertaken by L.S. Garrad of Manx Museum across the mound evident in the field in 1983.  A single Manx medieval micaceous sherd, of probable 13th/14th-century date, was found, apparently associated with a scatter of stones which had perhaps been paving, but there was no other trace of the keeill or any other structure.

Connections

Book Chapters

  • Parish: German
  • Sheading: Glenfaba
  • Grid Ref: SC2999081290

Sources

  • Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record
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