2022:886 - CALTRAGH, Sligo

A programme of archaeological test excavation was undertaken at a proposed development site at Caltragh (Carbury By.), Newtownholmes Road, Sligo. These works were undertaken over six days between 15 and 24 November 2022. The site is located on the western side of Newtownholmes Road and to the south of the junction with Caltragh Lane. Immediately to the west is the N4 Sligo Inner Relief Road (SIRR). Extensive archaeological excavations undertaken in advance of the construction of the SIRR indicate extensive human activity in the area from the Neolithic to the Early Medieval period. A geophysical survey was undertaken by Kevin Barton of Geophysical & Landscape Services (Licence No. 22R0239) prior to test excavation. The geophysical survey identified two potentially significant anomalous features (A and B) which were interpreted as possible enclosures.

A series of 11 test trenches were excavated across the site totalling 939 linear metres of trenches and an area of 1690.2m². This work was undertaken in two phases. The Phase 1 trenches (1–5) were focused on potential archaeological features identified by geophysical survey and Lidar. The Phase 2 trenches (7–11) were excavated to examine areas of the site that were not highlighted as potentially archaeologically significant by the geophysical survey.

The topsoil covering the site was quite deep, ranging between 0.6–1.15m in depth. It generally consisted of greyish, dark brown clayey silt with occasional inclusions of modern pottery sherds. The subsoil was uniform across the site and consisted of brownish, dark grey silt with moderate inclusions of large stones and boulders.

No archaeologically significant features, deposits or finds were uncovered during this programme of test excavation.