Viking burials found in the Isle of Man

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Viking Age burials
More Found in Britain pages

Completion Rating
This article's completion rating is 2 out of 5. Article structure and content is subject to change as data is still being collected.
Completion Rating
This article's completion rating is 2 out of 5. Article structure and content is subject to change as data is still being collected.
Viking Age Compendium articles on Burials in Britain:
VA Burials in the Isle of Man.JPG
Burials in the Isle of Man
Viking Age Compendium articles on Burials in Britain:
VA Burials in the Isle of Man.JPG
Burials in the Isle of Man


This list of burials is currently a work in progress. More information will be added over time but it is hoped that even the meagre information supplied here will be of some use. Any list of Viking burials is going to be open to discussion. Many of these burials were discovered in the 18th and 19th centuries, long before modern archaeological practices came into use.

Our map of Viking Burials in Britain is derived from the following maps: [Bersu & Wilson 1966]:p.xii; [Wilson 1976:p.394]; [Graham-Campbell 1994]:p.p.134 & 153; [Graham-Campbell & Batey 1998]:p.115 & p.130; [Graham-Campbell 2001]:p.107; [Redknap 2000]:p.95; [Richards 2004]:p.191; [Redmond 2007]:p.70, p.77, p.87, p.93, p.107, p.117; [Harrison & Ó Floinn 2014]:p.225

We have recently discovered Angela Redmond's book, 'Viking Burial in the North of England' [Redmond 2007]. This gives a very good overview of of burials from the British Isles and is well worth acquiring if you are interested in this subject.

Status
The reliability of pagan graves varies. The 'Status' rating gives an indication of the current thinking relating to the finds reliability.
 Accepted   (A)
There is a good contemporary archaeological record of the find. Including a diagram of the grave and finds, etc.
 Possible   (P)
The contemporary archaeological record of the find is not as good but the grave goods would tend to indicate a pagan grave. The grave may be located in a mound or Church yard.
 Discredited   (D)
The argument in favour of this being a Viking grave has now been discredited although it has previously been published as such in the past. These are most probably just stray finds.

Index by Parish

Andreas


Arbory


Ballaugh


Bradden


German


Jurby


Lezayre


Malew


Maughold


Michael


Patrick

As of 2015 there have been 37 accepted burials in the Isle of Man [Steinforth 2015]:tab.3

Additional graves to add

Isle of Man, Patrick: Ballabrooie -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.1
Redmond, Angela Z. (2007) Viking Burial in the North of England. A Study of Contact, Interaction and Reaction between Scandinavian Migrants with Resident Groups, and the effect of Immigration on Aspects of Cultural Continuity.. British Archaeological Reports: BAR 429 Appx.5 no.105

Isle of Man, German: Balladoyne -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.4

Isle of Man, Rushen: Calf of Man -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.8

Isle of Man, Maughold: Claghbane -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.9
Redmond, Angela Z. (2007) Viking Burial in the North of England. A Study of Contact, Interaction and Reaction between Scandinavian Migrants with Resident Groups, and the effect of Immigration on Aspects of Cultural Continuity.. British Archaeological Reports: BAR 429 Appx.5 no.93

Isle of Man, Jurby: Cronk ny Arrey Lhaa -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.11

Isle of Man, Patrick: Glen Rushen -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.15

Isle of Man, Lonan: Gretch Veg -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.16
Redmond, Angela Z. (2007) Viking Burial in the North of England. A Study of Contact, Interaction and Reaction between Scandinavian Migrants with Resident Groups, and the effect of Immigration on Aspects of Cultural Continuity.. British Archaeological Reports: BAR 429 Appx.5 no.111

Isle of Man, Lezayre: Kirk Lezayre -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.20

Isle of Man, Michael: Lhen y Oi -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.23

Isle of Man, Malew: Ronaldsway -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.26
Redmond, Angela Z. (2007) Viking Burial in the North of England. A Study of Contact, Interaction and Reaction between Scandinavian Migrants with Resident Groups, and the effect of Immigration on Aspects of Cultural Continuity.. British Archaeological Reports: BAR 429 Appx.5 no.110

Isle of Man, Jurby: West Nappin -
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) tab.3 no.37

List by Find Date

Isle of Man, Peel: St. Patrick's Isle


Status-  Accepted  
Type- Burial
Find Date- excavated between 1982 and 1987
Bodies- 7 graves with accompanied grave goods. 5 adult and 2 child burials.
Dated to- first half of the C10th
Publications-
Adult female (84.16/L (483))
  • woolen dress probably with a tablet woven sash, possible sprang head-dress (or possibly a bag?), down filled leather pillow [GRAHAM CAMPBELL 2002:p.86]
  • iron roasting spit
  • 3 knives (2 with handles inlaid with silver wire)
  • a pair of shears
  • antler comb
  • 2 needles
  • miniature pestle and mortar of limestone
  • necklace of 2 amber beads and a pierced ammonite.
  • necklace of 71 beads of coloured glass, amber and jet.
Adult male? (84.16/L (420))
  • silver penny (939-46AD)
  • copper-alloy ringed pin with a polyhedral head probably used to fasten a cloak.
  • 18 woven silver wire balls. Probably used to decorate a fringed cloak.
  • D shaped buckle with a decorated plate. Found just above the right knee and probably used to secure the body in the shroud.
Adult (85.60/L (595))
  • 4 silver wire balls. Again probably a fringe ornament of a cloak or shawl (they were found at the pelvis and right wrist).
Adult male? (85.60/L (1155))
  • curved lidded chest
  • ringed pin
  • linen cloak or shroud
  • strap end and buckle from a belt
  • traces of a comb, possible awl.
Adult (84.16/L (629))
  • casket
  • belt buckle with decorated plate, strap end
  • iron knife in a leather sheath.
child (85.60/L (682))
  • silver half penny (946-55AD)
child (84.16/L (757))
  • small bell, 6 glass beads, 2 amber beads



Isle of Man, Arbory: Balladoole


Status-
Type-
Find date- 1946
Bodies- Male grave with female body (possibly of a sacrificial slave)
Dated to- ?
Museum-
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Shield boss - with a hand grip



Isle of Man, Jurby: Ballateare


Status-
Type-
Find date- 1946
Aprox location- SC 344 970
Bodies- 2 small fragments of a human skull.
Dated to- ?
Museum- Manx Museum
Publications-
Grave goods
  • '



Isle of Man, Jurby: Cronk Moar


Status-
Type-
Find Date- excavated in 1939
Bodies- Male grave
Dated to- ?
Museum-
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Sword
  • Sword baldric - Strap distributer, buckle and strap end
  • Spear
  • Shield Boss
  • Knife
  • Pin
  • Cloak - Fragment of cloak



Isle of Man, Lezayre: Cronk yn How


Status-
Type-
Find Date- excavated in 1930
Bodies- None - possible female grave.
Dated to- ?
Museum-
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Box - hinges, 60 clench nails and roves (possibly part of a 60cm long strong box
  • Glass bead



Isle of Man, Andreas: Knoc-y-doonee


Status-
Type-
Find date- 1927? Boat Burial
Bodies- 2 small fragments of a human skull, horse skeleton
Dated to- ?
Museum- Manx Museum
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Sword - Petersen type X, Spear Head (fragment)
  • Axe - Petersen type G,
  • Shield Boss - Type R.562 (fragment)
  • Ring headed pin - Bronze (possibly with enamel inlay)
  • Iron bowl, hammer, smith tongs, lead weight for a fishing line
  • two knives with bone handles,
  • Horse harness - links of iron with remains of leather straps, Iron buckle, various small bronze fragments also possibly from the bridle,
  • Four pairs of strap protector, three plain strap ends, 2 plain studs set in leather
  • 300 iron rivets from the boat



Isle of Man, Michael: Kirk Michael


Status-
Type-
Find date- 1885
Bodies- found in a church yard whilst digging a grave
Dated to- ?
Museum- Manx Museum
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Spear head - Petersen type K



Isle of Man, Jurby: Ballachrink


Status-
Type-
Find date- 1880
Aprox location- SC 440 990
Bodies- none. Found in a flagged cist in a barrow
Dated to- ?
Museum- Manx Museum
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Sword - Upper part of a Sword with a curved guard, base of a spear head with wings (lugs), 'a perforated stone disc'



Isle of Man, Malew: Malew churchyard


Status-
Type-
Find date- c.1854
Bodies- found in a possible grave in Malew churchyard
Dated to- ?
Museum-
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Two swords



Isle of Man, Patrick: Ballelby


Status-
Type-
Find date- c.1850
Bodies- a possible skeleton (left in situ by the discovering farmer)
Dated to- ?
Museum- left in situ
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Axe head (left in situ) - bearded



Isle of Man, Maughold: St. Maughold


Status-
Type-
Find date- 1824
Bodies- found in a church yard whilst digging a grave
Dated to- ?
Museum- National Museum of Scotland
Publications-
Grave goods
Sword - Petersen type L



Isle of Man, Ballaugh: Ballaugh


Status-
Type- burial in a low barrow
Find date- 1824
Bodies-
Dated to- ?
Museum-
Grave goods
  • Sword - Petersen type L
  • Spear Head (lost)
Publications-



Isle of Man, Jurby: Jurby


Status-
Type-
Find date- ? found in a church yard (St. Patrick?) and re-interred by the Vicar.
Bodies-
Dated to- ?
Museum-
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Sword - (Wheeler type III?)



Isle of Man, Bradden: Old Kirk Braddan


Status-
Type-
Find date- ? found in a church yard whilst digging a grave
Bodies-
Dated to- ?
Museum- Manx Museum
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Sword - with missing hilt



Isle of Man, German: St John's


Tynwald

Status-
Type-
Find date- Pre 1860AD
Aprox location- SC 277 819
Bodies- found in an open cist
Dated to- ?
Museum- LOST
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Axe head (LOST) -
  • Stirrup (LOST) -
  • Beads (LOST) - a handful of beads
  • Sword (LOST) - was also found in the same field of Petersen type P

Balladoyne Churchyard

Status-
Type-
Find date- ?
Bodies- found in a christian cemetery
Dated to- ?
Museum- Manx Museum
Publications-
Grave goods
  • Sword - Petersen type M
  • Spear head - Petersen type K with linen fragment in the socket
  • Shield boss



References

Main

Bjorn, Anathon, and Shetelig, Haakon (1940) Viking Antiquities in England. Edited by Haakon Shetelig. (Available Online) Viking Antiquities in Great Britain and Ireland: Part 4 [Bjorn & Shetelig 1940] *
Bersu, Gerhard and Wilson, David M. (1966) Three Viking Graves in the Isle of Man. The Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph Servies: No 1 [Bersu & Wilson 1966] ^ *
Wilson, David M. (2008) The Vikings in the Isle of Man. [Wilson 2008] *
Redmond, Angela Z. (2007) Viking Burial in the North of England. A Study of Contact, Interaction and Reaction between Scandinavian Migrants with Resident Groups, and the effect of Immigration on Aspects of Cultural Continuity.. British Archaeological Reports: BAR 429 [Redmond 2007] ^ 1 2 *
Steinforth, Dirk (2015) Die skandinavische Besiedlung auf der Isle of Man. (partly available in google books) [Steinforth 2015] ^ *


Other

Graham-Campbell, James; Batey, Colleen; Clarke, Helen; Page, R.I. and Price, Neil S. (1994) Cultural Atlas of the Viking World. [Graham-Campbell 1994] ^ *
Graham-Campbell, James, and Batey, Colleen E. (1998) Vikings in Scotland, an archaeological survey. Edinburgh University Press. [Graham-Campbell & Batey 1998] ^ *
Graham-Campbell, James; Hall, Richard; Jesch, Judith and Parsons, David N. (eds.) (2001) Vikings and the Danelaw. Select Papers from the Proceedings of the Thirteenth Viking Congress. Viking Congress: 13 [Graham-Campbell 2001] ^ *
Harrison, Stephen H. & Ó Floinn, Raghnall 2014 Viking Graves and Grave-Goods in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.11 [Harrison & Ó Floinn 2014] ^ *
Redknap, Mark (2000) Vikings in Wales. An Archaeological Quest. [Redknap 2000] ^ *
Richards, Julian D. (2004) Vikings in England. [Richards 2004] ^ *