Time Team - Speke Keeill, Mount Murray Hotel, Isle of Man - Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results

Wessex Archaeology

The results of the evaluation showed that like many sites on Man the cist cemetery belonged to the pre-Norse period, which was confirmed by radiocarbon dating to belong to the 6th to 7th century AD, the samples taken from three burials. The keeill was shown to be later than the cemetery as it was built upon an earlier grave which was subsequently disturbed. It was constructed in a typical Scandinavian style of turf and stone and was likely to date later than the 9th century AD.

A number of features were excavated which were clearly earlier than the cemetery, possibly Bronze Age in date, although definitive dating evidence was not recovered.

Two very unusual discoveries were made at the site. The first was the recovery of a flat slate stone inscribed with ogham written in a distinctive form of Gaelic particular to the Northern Isles. This find shows evidence of the close links between the Isle of Man and other areas under Norwegian control in the 10th and 11th century. The second was the recovery of a plait of human hair from one of the cist graves; a very unusual survival.

Finally, the evaluation identified possible evidence of earlier Christian ritual, from the recovery of large numbers of white water worn pebbles. White pebbles were seen as sacred, following God’s words to the Church of Pergamum, as recorded in the Book of
Revelations. The idea of white stones as holy was continued by the actions of the 6th century Abbot of Iona, St. Columba, who used them for the healing of the sick and dying. These white stones were found in distinct piles around the altar of Speke Keeill.