UNEARTHING THE PAST AT MACOSQUIN

Two of Ireland's leading archaeologists are to lead a '˜Time Team' style dig in a Coleraine village next month.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Mar 2016, 07:53 BST
A plan of Macosquin drawn in 1615, entitled, "A plat of ye intended buildings at Macoskin in ye Merchant Taylors Propon" shows the plans by the Merchant Taylors Company for their Plantation at Macosquin.A plan of Macosquin drawn in 1615, entitled, "A plat of ye intended buildings at Macoskin in ye Merchant Taylors Propon" shows the plans by the Merchant Taylors Company for their Plantation at Macosquin.
A plan of Macosquin drawn in 1615, entitled, "A plat of ye intended buildings at Macoskin in ye Merchant Taylors Propon" shows the plans by the Merchant Taylors Company for their Plantation at Macosquin.

Dr James Lyttleton and Nick Brannon are collaborating in a community-driven archaeological project in the hope of discovering evidence of the early 17th century houses at Macosquin.

Meetings have already been held with local landowners, Macosquin Community Association, Rector Mike Roemmele of St Mary’s Church and Macosquin Primary School whose pupils will take part in the week long excavations from Monday, April 25.

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Dr Lyttleton travelled to the Guildhall Library in London last week to examine maps of the historic village, where in 1615 the London Guild of Merchant Taylors company established a town as part of the plantation of Londonderry.

Archaeologist Nick Brannon.Archaeologist Nick Brannon.
Archaeologist Nick Brannon.

“We are hoping to find the original footprint of settler houses in the village,” said Dr Lyttleton, who teaches part-time in Maynooth University.

“”There is a good chance that these Merchant Taylors houses have not been interfered or disrupted by redevelopment.

“It would be great if we could find the foundations of these houses, which were made from timber or clay walling.

Related topics:ColeraineIrelandLondon