New discoveries at Archeological Dig on Downpatrick's Cathedral Hill

by Gráinne Connolly

Newry, Mourne and Down District council says it's "made significant findings" near Down Cathedral, after starting a cross-community excavation last month.

It's being led by professionals from the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork and the Centre for Community Archaeology at Queen's University Belfast, alongside volunteers since the 28th July and is supported by the EU's PEACE IV Programme.

It's understood remains of the medieval abbey of Down have been discovered, as well as a number of artefacts. 

Excavation director, Brian Sloan said: 

“This has been a tremendous experience for the excavation team and the volunteers who have taken part in the investigation.

"We have discovered remains of the medieval abbey of Down, but we have also retrieved a huge number of artefacts, ranging from pottery to metalwork, stone moulds to pins, and from ceramic tiles to animal bones and oyster shells.

"All of this material will revolutionise our understanding of life in Downpatrick from the time of St Patrick onwards.

"In addition, we have found a Mesolithic flint tool that dates back to about 8000 BC, which represents the earliest evidence for people living here in Downpatrick 10,000 years ago."

According to the council, these discoveries have become a massive tourist attraction for the area with hundreds of visitors everyday from as far as USA, Australia and Japan. 

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP has also stopped by the dig. 

Queen's University Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork will deliver a post-excavation lecture at Down County Museum on Thursday 15 November 2018.

This will be a further opportunity to learn about the discoveries from the excavation after they have been analysed.

All artefacts discovered during the excavation will be transferred to Down County Museum later this year.