UNCERTAIN · CROSS-SLAB

Cross-slab

Ballymena, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 2225
Period
UNCERTAIN
Site type
CROSS-SLAB
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

A cross-slab is a stone monument bearing a carved cross, typically dating to the Early Medieval period in the British Isles. The cross-slab recorded at Ballymena in County Antrim represents an example of this class of monument, though its precise dating and original context remain uncertain. Such slabs served commemorative or territorial functions within Early Christian communities and are distributed widely across Ireland and Northern Britain. Without detailed archaeological investigation or stylistic analysis establishing secure dating, the Ballymena example remains classified within the broad corpus of cross-slab monuments whose chronology and significance continue to inform understanding of Early Medieval religious and social practice in the region.

Cross-slab is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 2225. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cross-slab?

A cross-slab is a stone monument bearing a carved cross, typically dating to the Early Medieval period in the British Isles. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 2225.

What period does Cross-slab date from?

Cross-slab dates from the uncertain period, and is classified as a cross-slab. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Cross-slab?

Cross-slab 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 2225.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cross-slab?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Motte (3.9 km), Rath and souterrain (4.5 km), Megalithic tomb (5 km).

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