MIDDEN

Shell midden

Ards, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 16104
Site type
MIDDEN
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Shell midden HED NI NISMR MonID 16104 is a prehistoric refuse deposit located in the Ards Peninsula, County Down, Northern Ireland. Such middens represent accumulations of discarded shells and other domestic waste from human settlement and subsistence activities, typically dating to the Mesolithic or Neolithic periods when coastal communities exploited marine resources. The site contributes to understanding the dietary practices and settlement patterns of early inhabitants of the Irish coast, though detailed archaeological investigation and radiocarbon dating would be required to establish its precise chronological range and cultural context within the peninsula's prehistoric sequence.

Shell midden is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 16104. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Shell midden?

Shell midden HED NI NISMR MonID 16104 is a prehistoric refuse deposit located in the Ards Peninsula, County Down, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 16104.

Who is responsible for protecting Shell midden?

Shell midden 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 16104.

What other scheduled monuments are near Shell midden?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Stone fish trap (2.3 km), Bivallate rath & possible souterrain (4.1 km), 2 portions of quay works and slipway (4.2 km).

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