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11/08/2003
Archaeologists in 'important' holy relic find
A recent archaeological dig has lead to the discovery of one of the "most important" holy relics ever found on an excavation in Ireland.
The excavation at Drumadoon near Ballycastle, undertaken by the DoE’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and the Centre for Archaeological fieldwork at Queen’s University, saw the discovery of a bronze bell shrine of the Romanesque period and dates between AD 1180 and 1200.
Brian Williams from EHS, joint excavation director with Cormac McSparron of Queen’s University and who discovered the shrine, said: “This is among the most important archaeological objects ever found in the course of an excavation in Ireland. It is a precious and rare survival of an ancient sacred object that would have been venerated by the people of north Antrim over 800 years ago.
"It had clearly been cared for and hidden in the ground for safekeeping. Now that it has come to light again it is vital that we continue to care for the bell shrine for present and future generations," he added.
The site from which the shrine was found was occupied from the 9th to the 13th century. Items recovered included an iron arrowhead and iron spearhead together with large quantities of pottery, butchered animal bones and fish bones.
(MB)
The excavation at Drumadoon near Ballycastle, undertaken by the DoE’s Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) and the Centre for Archaeological fieldwork at Queen’s University, saw the discovery of a bronze bell shrine of the Romanesque period and dates between AD 1180 and 1200.
Brian Williams from EHS, joint excavation director with Cormac McSparron of Queen’s University and who discovered the shrine, said: “This is among the most important archaeological objects ever found in the course of an excavation in Ireland. It is a precious and rare survival of an ancient sacred object that would have been venerated by the people of north Antrim over 800 years ago.
"It had clearly been cared for and hidden in the ground for safekeeping. Now that it has come to light again it is vital that we continue to care for the bell shrine for present and future generations," he added.
The site from which the shrine was found was occupied from the 9th to the 13th century. Items recovered included an iron arrowhead and iron spearhead together with large quantities of pottery, butchered animal bones and fish bones.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Early mist and fog clearing to leave a dry and mainly sunny day, although patchy cloud possible through County Down. Warmest in the west with light east or northeast winds. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:Dry and bright at first but some areas of low cloud developing through the evening and overnight, particularly over southern counties and the north Antrim hills. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
