EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Down
Crossnacreevy, Co. Down
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.
Grid Ref: J39697016 (33969/37016)
SMR No: DOW 010:007
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: Summer 1971.
Site Director: A.E.T. Harper (Historic Monuments Branch, Department of Finance (NI)).
The enclosure (36m by 31m) was located just to the south of the summit of a drumlin, and had been
damaged prior to excavation by post-medieval building construction and occupation. Excavation was
largely focused on the interior of the enclosure and this revealed a sub-circular clay house-platform,
surrounded by a pebbled yard (Fig. 92). A sub-circular gully cut into the clay platform may suggest a
roundhouse, although the distribution of post-holes is less clear.
Excavation of the ditch revealed a U-shaped ditch, approximately 2m deep. A number of layers within
the ditch indicated re-cutting, and dating of some of these suggest this may have occurred from the
thirteenth century onwards.
A number of sherds of souterrain ware (22), and iron bar (?), and a green/yellow glass bead were
recovered from the area of the house platform.
Fig. 92: Excavated area at Crossnacreevy, Co. Down (after Harper 1973-4, 33 & 34).
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