Finds on the Fairway (Speke Keeill, Isle of Man) | S14E01 | Time Team

Time Team Classics2 minutes read

The Isle of Man's Mount Murray golf course is home to a well-preserved keel, offering valuable insights into the island's history of Christianization and Viking influence dating back centuries. Archaeologists uncover stone-lined graves, ancient human hair, and Ogham script, providing a glimpse into the island's rich cultural fusion of Viking and Celtic influences.

Insights

  • The Isle of Man showcases a blend of British, Irish, and Viking cultural influences, with the excavation of the last untouched keel on the island offering insights into its Christianization and transition to Viking influence.
  • The archaeological excavation at Mount Murray golf course has unearthed a stone-lined grave with a well-preserved skeleton, potentially the earliest Christian burial on the island, along with significant discoveries like Ogham writing, Viking inscriptions, and evidence of a sacred focus predating the Viking era, providing a rich historical tapestry dating back over a thousand years.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Isle of Man known for?

    Cultural influences from British, Irish, and Viking backgrounds.

  • What is the significance of keels on the Isle of Man?

    Stone-built chapels possibly with graves and enclosures.

  • What discoveries were made during the excavation at Mount Murray?

    Stone-lined grave with a well-preserved skeleton.

  • What cultural influences can be seen in the Isle of Man's history?

    Fusion of Viking and Celtic cultures in art and architecture.

  • What is the significance of the Ogham writing found on the Isle of Man?

    Possibly associated with a grave, dating back to the 11th century.

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Summary

00:00

Unearthing Isle of Man's Ancient Keel

  • The Isle of Man is a culturally rich island with influences from British, Irish, and Viking backgrounds.
  • Keels, small chapels, once abundant on the island, have mostly been destroyed or poorly excavated, except for one on the Mount Murray golf course.
  • Time Team has the unique opportunity to excavate the last untouched keel on the island using modern archaeological techniques.
  • The keel at Mount Murray, unlike others, has survived and stands on a golf course redesigned to protect it.
  • The keels were likely in use from the 8th to 12th centuries, with some burial grounds predating the chapels.
  • The excavation aims to not only investigate the chapel but also the surrounding archaeology.
  • Initial finds suggest the presence of a stone-built chapel, potentially with graves and an enclosure.
  • The excavation uncovers a stone-lined grave containing a well-preserved skeleton, aiding in carbon dating for timeline construction.
  • The keel excavation could provide insights into the island's Christianization and the transition to Viking influence.
  • Excavation reveals potential altar areas, graves, and stone structures, hinting at the keel's original form and purpose.

14:56

Exciting archaeological discoveries reveal ancient burial practices.

  • Bones are crucial for dating through radiocarbon methods.
  • The site contains a variety of archaeological finds from different regions.
  • The team is excited about the discoveries made in the cemetery.
  • The keel site is extensive, possibly extending into another field.
  • The team found multiple graves, aiding in dating and establishing a chronology.
  • The graves may be within a unique curving mark, hinting at reuse or earlier features.
  • Phil's focus is on the keel, establishing wall lines, an altar, and a relics box.
  • The site features concentric ditches with graves inside, typical of early Christian burial grounds.
  • The island's history shows a fusion of Viking and Celtic cultures in art and architecture.
  • A potentially significant find of Ogham writing, possibly associated with a grave, excites the team.

30:06

Ancient Christian grave reveals island's history

  • A piece of plaited human hair, likely a thousand years old, is a rare archaeological find at the site.
  • Another significant discovery is a piece of slate with Viking writing on it.
  • The main focus is the keel chapel, with efforts to date the stones and understand its construction.
  • The team aims to answer questions about the altar's construction and significance, as well as locate the doorway.
  • A trench is planned to search for dating evidence near the keel chapel.
  • A stone-lined grave is uncovered, adding to the site's archaeological significance.
  • The plaited human hair found is linked to a skeleton dating back 1400 years, making it the earliest Christian grave on the island.
  • The position of the doorway is established, aiding in the 3D reconstruction of the chapel.
  • Evidence suggests the site had a sacred focus before the Viking era, possibly with a wooden chapel preceding the stone one.
  • Ogham script found on the site is translated to Gaelic, dating back to the 11th century and possibly referencing a group of warriors.

45:59

Mysterious Message Unveils Centuries of History

  • Archaeologists are intrigued by a message carved by an unknown person at a site recently discovered on a golf course.
  • The site has revealed evidence of early Christians, Viking warriors, and medieval priests, shedding light on a history dating back a thousand years.
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