UNCERTAIN · PROMONTORY FORT

Promontory fort

Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 12460
Period
UNCERTAIN
Site type
PROMONTORY FORT
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Promontory fort is a prehistoric defensive settlement located near Magherafelt in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The site occupies a naturally defensible promontory position, a topographical advantage exploited in Iron Age and potentially earlier periods for settlement and fortification. The fort's precise chronology remains uncertain, though such promontory fortifications were characteristically constructed during the Iron Age when communities sought elevated positions with natural protection on one or more sides. Limited archaeological investigation has been conducted at the site, and further work would be required to establish definitive dating and functional interpretation of its defensive structures.

Promontory fort is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 12460. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Promontory fort?

Promontory fort is a prehistoric defensive settlement located near Magherafelt in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 12460.

What period does Promontory fort date from?

Promontory fort dates from the uncertain period, and is classified as a promontory fort. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Promontory fort?

Promontory fort 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 12460.

What other scheduled monuments are near Promontory fort?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Counterscarp rath (1.6 km), Rath (1.8 km), Rath (4.3 km).

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