Posted on 08/11/2003 5:24:05 PM PDT by blam
12th century holy shrine found at 'dig'
By Ted Oliver
(Filed: 12/08/2003)
One of the most important holy relics to be found in Ireland has been unearthed on the site of a former settlement in northern Antrim.
The bronze bell shrine, dating between 1180 and 1200, had been hidden in the earth at Drumadoon near Ballycastle.
The shrine would have contained a sacred bell Archaeologists working at the site believe the inhabitants of the settlement, which was occupied between the ninth and 13th centuries, may have been the hereditary keepers of the shrine.
Fixed to its front panel is a cast figure of the crucified Christ clothed in a belted loin-cloth. His eyes are made from pale blue glass beads.
Brian Williams, joint excavation director of the Environment and Heritage Service, described the relic as "a rare and most remarkable object".
He said he was digging in a pit when the clay just crumbled away. "There it was. It was absolutely thrilling. An archaeologist could live 20 life-times and never discover anything as beautiful as this," he said.
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