2006:431 - NEW BUILDINGS: Kittybane, Derry

It was proposed by New Buildings Historical Society to conduct a research excavation in Kittybane, New Buildings, to confirm the existence of a souterrain (LDY022–012) and to investigate the nature of the structure. Six test-trenches were excavated.

The excavated remains indicate the presence of a subsoil-cut ditch which appeared to enclose a natural raised area some 100m in diameter. The nature of the fills within the ditch would suggest that it was backfilled as part of a single event following abandonment of the site. This backfilling probably consisted of the dumping of bank material into the ditch. No surviving evidence of a bank was identified, but a gully that was also uncovered may represent some form of pre-bank construction, possibly acting as drainage for the bank structure.

No dating evidence was identified during the course of the excavation. However, given the perceived proximity of a souterrain, it is likely that the enclosure represents the remains of a substantial rath of Early Christian date.

Editor’s note: Although this licence was issued during 2005, the report on the work was not received in time for inclusion in the bulletin of that year.