Manx National Heritage is proudly announcing the publication of "Rushen Abbey: 100 years of excavation" by Dr. Peter Davey, which represents the end of an extensive ten-year excavation project. An important part of the Christian legacy of the Isle of Man, Rushen Abbey has a rich history explored in this ground-breaking study.
(Photo: Getty Images/ Sean Gallup)
Discovering Centuries of History: The Ten-Year Dig
In the Isle of Man, Rushen Abbey was founded in AD 1334 as a Cistercian monastery. It represents centuries of historical and spiritual importance. Dr. Davey's extensive archaeological investigation highlights this medieval marvel and reveals its widespread legacy.
Between 1998 and 2008, an extensive collection of antiquities comprising about 120,000 pieces was discovered during the excavation, providing insight into the abbey's rich history. Remarkable finds include items from the high medieval era (c. 1000-1300 CE), which include ceramics, glassware, metallurgy, and an impressive coin collection.
One of the most remarkable discoveries is a lead cross that provides a moving window into the early history of Christianity in the area. It is thought to have been made in the fifth century or earlier. "This must be one of the earliest artifacts of Christianity in these islands," Dr. Davey said, highlighting the discovery's great historical significance.
Furthermore, the long-lasting legacy of Rushen Abbey as a location of Christian burials spanning a millennium, from CE 400 to 1400, has been uncovered by scientific dating techniques. This discovery broadens our comprehension of the abbey's holy legacy and its crucial influence on the development of the Isle of Man's culture.
From Monastery to School
Apart from medieval relics, the dig revealed proof of Rushen Abbey's post-medieval development, including its shift into private ownership and subsequent use as a girl's school and attraction for tourists. These results provide crucial new information about the abbey's changing role in the socio-cultural structure of the Isle of Man.
Alison Fox, Archaeology Curator at Manx National Heritage, praises the hundreds of people who worked together, including undergraduate students and devoted Manx volunteers, to make this historic excavation possible. Their combined efforts have played a crucial role in revealing the monastery's mysterious history and safeguarding its legacy for upcoming generations.
Dr. Davey's careful study combines discoveries from earlier digs dating back to 1926 to provide a thorough picture of Rushen Abbey's historical development. Using an all-encompassing strategy that compromises academic rigor and accessibility, "Rushen Abbey: 100 years of excavation" provides an entry point into the abbey's extensive historical and cultural legacy.
Dr. Davey sums up the significance of this landmark publication in deepening our understanding of Rushen Abbey's lasting impact by saying, "It is a great achievement to have the evidence for life at Rushen Abbey now accessible to anyone with an interest in Manx history and archaeology."
The medieval marvels of Rushen Abbey, emerging from the shadows of the past, are a monument to the spirit of exploration and discovery that has illuminated human history for centuries. The abbey's legacy is revived with each artifact discovered, beckoning us to explore through time to solve the secrets of a forgotten past.
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