Archaeologists Uncover 8,000-Year-Old Settlement Near Castle Site

Archaeologists from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) have made a remarkable discovery while excavating the site of a 400-year-old castle in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. During their search for the remains of Derrygonnelly Castle, the team unearthed artefacts dating back approximately 8,000 years, shedding light on the region’s early settlement history.

The excavation, led by Prof Eileen Murphy of the Centre of Community Archaeology at QUB, revealed evidence from the Mesolithic period, a time associated with Ireland’s first settlers. Prof Murphy expressed her astonishment at the find, stating, “With archaeology, you never know what you’re going to find. We’ve actually been able to push the date of this site back from the 400 years we were looking for to about 8,000 or 9,000 years ago.”

The discovery holds significant implications, as early Mesolithic evidence is scarce in County Fermanagh. The terrain around Derrygonnelly, characterized by a flat plateau next to the River Sillies, would have been ideal for early humans. This landscape provided abundant resources, including fish and waterfowl, making it a suitable habitat for hunter-gatherers.

Among the artefacts uncovered were microliths, small flint tools used for hunting and fishing, along with cores from which these tools were fashioned. “This tells us they were actually making them on site,” Prof Murphy noted. The findings suggest that early Mesolithic communities may have established camps in the area, indicating prolonged habitation.

In addition to the ancient settlement, the team also discovered evidence of a Bronze Age house, approximately 4,000 years old, as well as pottery attributed to this period. Volunteer archaeologist Roy Browne played a vital role in this discovery, which Prof Murphy described as “incredible.” She remarked, “We’ve got a lovely Bronze Age house, and Roy has just discovered Bronze Age pottery at the bottom of a post hole. So we’ve been able to date it while we’re out on site.”

The excavation has sparked enthusiastic interest within the local community, with many residents and schoolchildren engaging with the project. Dr Heather Montgomery, project manager, shared her delight at the community’s involvement, stating, “Everybody’s talking about it in the town. There’s an absolute buzz about it. We have found archaeology we never thought would be possible.”

Local students from St Patrick’s Primary School in Derrygonnelly participated in the dig, fostering curiosity about their heritage. Teacher Maria Scallon noted the excitement among her pupils, saying, “It started all these questions about where we live and about the old church. They have just loved today, and I definitely think there are some future archaeologists in the class.”

Ten-year-old Niamh, one of the students, made a notable find—a piece of chert, a type of flint, dating back to the Mesolithic period. “I didn’t know what it was, so I went and asked the man, and he said it was very cool,” she recounted. For nine-year-old Niall, the experience was both rewarding and messy, as he expressed, “To find the artefacts, you really have to get your hands into the soil.”

The dig, which lasted two weeks, engaged over 200 volunteers, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the project. The initiative was made possible through the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland (CAPNI) and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Funds.

Prof Murphy, who has local ties to Derrygonnelly, hopes that future funding will allow for further exploration of this unique site. She concluded, “It’s a site that keeps on giving.” As the excavation continues to unfold, it promises to deepen understanding of the region’s rich historical tapestry.