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Speke Keeill Cross

Archaeology

The site of an early medieval cross slab (Manx Cross 189), reported to remain in situ at the site of the keeill at Speke. It was found in 1981 and recovered by Time Team during excavation in 2006. This substantial round-headed slab bears a deeply pecked cross near the head of one face. The 2006 excavation (Channel 4 Time Team, with Wessex Archaeology undertaking the archaeological recording and analysis) also uncovered the keeill's original altar (built of thin Manx slate slabs with white pebbles), a square reliquary structure lined with white quartz stones (possibly containing a founder's relic), and a plait of human hair preserved in one grave. Radiocarbon dating of three graves at the site produced dates in the 6th-7th centuries, predating the keeill structure, indicating the chapel was built within an already-existing burial ground; Richard Lace's study of fourteen lintel graves suggested the cemetery extended to roughly 200 yards in diameter. The Time Team episode covering this excavation, "Finds on the Fairway," aired as Series 14, Episode 1.

Connections

Book Chapters

  • Parish: Braddan
  • Sheading: Middle
  • Grid Ref: SC3335074660

Sources

  • Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record

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