County: Antrim Site name: NEWFERRY (Ballyscullion td.)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Peter Woodman, Ulster Museum
Site type: Habitation Site
Period/Dating: Neolithic (4000BC-2501 BC)
ITM: E 698930m, N 897991m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.820042, -6.460611
The excavation was based on a river bank sand dune with diatomite deposits built up against it. This excavation through nearly 2 metres of deposits revealed at least seven major occupation layers based on, in and under the sand dune and in the diatomite deposits. A large number of charcoal samples were taken from each of the major layers and three monoliths were also taken for pollen analysis.
Large quantities of flint blades were found in all layers along with Bann flakes and tanged points. Large numbers of heavily trimmed points whose function is as yet unknown were also found. The latter forms have been found occasionally but never in such large numbers, Some attempt at analysis of these forms can now begin. The Neolithic influence was very strong in one layer about halfway through the sequence. In this layer were several polished stone axes and fragments of ethers, some sherds of pottery, one half of a leaf shaped arrowhead, and some polishing stones.
In the lowest of the occupation layers an interesting series of tanged points was discovered. These indicate that tanged points were well established in Ireland sometime after 4,000 BC. Until now these forms have been undated and have been presumed to be late in the sequence of Bann Flakes.
One polished stone axe was found in the peat deposit underneath this lowest charcoal layer. This axe may be comparable in date to the earliest settlement at Ballynagilly, i.e. C14 date 37700 BC or earlier.
One other interesting find was a miniature polished stone axe less than 2cm long. This form once again is rarely found during excavations.
Features on the site were rare except for an interesting form of hearth which may have been used for salmon smoking as large quantities of fish bones were found in them. This is the first time this type of hearth has been excavated.
In summary a series of, we hope, well dated occupation layers have been excavated. These would appear to be in the main Mesolithic in culture and probably typical riverside occupation material. The site will be well dated with a large number of Radio Carbon determination, thanks to the generosity of the Palaeoecology Laboratory. The monoliths taken from the site will be used for pollen analysis also carried out by the Palaeoecology Laboratory.
