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Ballymena Ancient Field System is a multi-period monument comprising a rath and two round cairns, situated on bedrock of Palaeogene extrusive rocks in the townland of Ballymena. The mafic lavas and tuffs underlying the site form part of the extensive volcanic sequence that characterises this region of Northern Ireland. The rath, a circular or oval earthwork typically serving as a defended farmstead or ritual centre, represents Iron Age or early medieval occupation, whilst the two round cairns suggest Bronze Age or earlier ritual and burial practices within the same landscape.
The grouping of these monuments indicates sustained use of this location across several centuries, with successive communities maintaining occupation or ceremonial activity on the same ground. The volcanic bedrock, exposed in places across the surrounding terrain, would have influenced patterns of settlement and land use in prehistory and beyond.
The site is recorded under Historic Environment Division reference 2627 and remains protected as a scheduled monument, preserving evidence of long-term human activity and landscape management in this part of County Antrim.
Ancient field system, including rath & 2 round cairns (c.f. 038 is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 2627. View the official record →
Ballymena Ancient Field System is a multi-period monument comprising a rath and two round cairns, situated on bedrock of Palaeogene extrusive rocks in the townland of Ballymena. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 2627.
Ancient field system, including rath & 2 round cairns (c.f. 038 dates from the uncertain period, and is classified as a field system. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Ancient field system, including rath & 2 round cairns (c.f. 038 is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 2627.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including See of dal riata, st. saviour's. monastery, church, cathedral, graveyard & cross (5.1 km), Trench. revetted mound & boundary ditch (5.1 km), Souterrain with ogham stones (2) (5.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Ancient field system, including rath & 2 round cairns (c.f. 038's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Ancient field system, including rath & 2 round cairns (c.f. 038 stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.