An Early Christian Cemetery and Chapel on Ardwall Isle, Kirkcudbright

Bibliographic Data

ID10998595
AuthorsCharles Thomas (0000-0001-9998-6698, University of Leicester, corresponding author)
Year1967
Volume11
Issue1
Pages127-188
Publication date1967-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedieval Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0076-6097 • E-ISSN: 1745-817X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00766097.1967.11735294
OpenAlexW2400926998
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited2

THIS REPORT describes the excavations (1964–65) on an uninhabited tidal islet off the coast of south-western Scotland. Five superimposed phases (excluding modem and possibly prehistoric occupation) were revealed. The final report on phases V and IV, a tavern of c. 1780–1800 and a hall-house of c. 1250–1350, appears in the appropriate regional journal.1 Phases III, II and I are Early Christian. In phase I, which may go back to the later 5th century, extended Christian inhumations were related to a focus, a small rock-cut hollow which is identified as the underground element of a ‘slab shrine’. Phase II was marked by the construction of a small timber structure, an oratory or chapel, whose plan and extent are defined by post-holes, and possibly by another visible shrine of ‘corner-post” type; further burials were aligned on the axis of this structure. In phase III, the timber structure was replaced, perhaps in the early 8th century, by a stone-walled chapel of larger dimensions, some features of which present points of unusual interest, and by two rows of further inhumations due west of, and on the axis of, this chapel. At a later, but pre-medieval stage, perhaps the 10th and nth centuries, further burials were inserted in the floor of the (now roofless?) chapel. A low bank, perhaps as early as phase II, encloses an oval area around the site, and traces of ruined circular foundations were noticed within this. An extensive series of worked or incised stones—grave-markers, upright slabs, and some with graffiti and one with an inscription—is associated with phases II and III, as are a few small finds. The discussion centres on the chronology and nature of the features from all three phases, and concludes with a short essay on the background of southern Scotland in the Early Christian era; this postulates an early and influential Irish settlement in Galloway, a settlement whose nature and extent has not hitherto been realized

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Art history · Chapel · Excavation · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geology · Historical Studies of British Isles · History · Scottish History and National Identity

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