E.CHRIST. · RATH

Bivallate rath

Lisburn, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 4545
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Bivallate Rath is a Early Christian ringfort located near Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The monument comprises two concentric earthen banks and intervening ditches, characteristic of the bivallate form which indicates either a substantial settlement hierarchy or sequential phases of defensive reinforcement during the Early Christian period. Such raths served as defended homesteads and were focal points of settlement in Ireland from the fifth century onwards, with many bivallate examples suggesting occupation by persons of elevated social or economic status. The site's survival as an upstanding earthwork demonstrates the durability of these Early Christian fortified settlements in the Irish archaeological landscape.

Bivallate rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4545. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Bivallate rath?

Bivallate Rath is a Early Christian ringfort located near Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4545.

What period does Bivallate rath date from?

Bivallate rath dates from the e.christ. period, and is classified as a rath. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Bivallate rath?

Bivallate rath 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 4545.

What other scheduled monuments are near Bivallate rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Green mound. rath & multivallate motte (1 km), Giant's grave. megalithic tomb (1.9 km), Counterscarp rath (2.1 km).

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