Summary : Remains of an Early Medieval oratory, probably 8th century or 7th century at the earliest. The doorway has been described as 11th century, while a stone bearing a fragmentary inscription of probable 5th or 6th century date is featured upside down in the wall of the oratory. The walls survive to a height of 2.4 metres. In 1910, the remains of the oratory were protected from the further encroachment of sand by the construction of a concrete structure. This featured a cross head circa 0.5 metres high, possibly the head of the cross shaft recorded as Monument HOB UID 428169. In 1981, the oratory was reburied under the supervision of the Cornwall Committee for Rescue Archaeology. At the time, a scatter of bones was discovered on the western side of the oratory. Subsequently, erosion has exposed a scatter of bones and remains of at least 10 cists believed to be early medieval in date. It is thought that St Piran retired to Cornwall from Ireland in the 6th century and founded a monastery here which was extant until 1085. (Monument HOB UID 428173). |