A BELFAST community archaeological dig has unearthed evidence of craft manufacture at an early Christian farmstead and enclosure.
Archaeologists at this year’s Belfast Hills Big Dig at Slievenacloy’s earthen ring uncovered a waste glass globule and an unfinished broken lignite bracelet, providing proof of the manufacture of glass and lignite jewellery on the site.
Sarah Gormley from the Queen's University Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork explained that lignite jewellery and glass beads are commonly found on dig sites, but the fact these finds were unfinished indicates they were made on site, perhaps by travelling crafts people.
"This changes how we interpret the site, giving it a whole new level of significance," she said
Lizzy Pinkerton, from the Belfast Hills Partnership, added: “We always believed that this site was special, the earthen ring itself is about 10 times bigger than your typical early Christian rath or ringfort, so someone went to a lot of effort to create it.”
A public open day is being held this Saturday, June 18, along with an excavation training courses on June 24 and 28.
All events are free but booking is required. Visit Belfasthills.org/events for more details.
