County: Antrim Site name: BALLYDOWN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Norman Crothers, Archaeological Development Services Ltd.
Site type: Enclosure
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 743420m, N 900490m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.831731, -5.767582
In Ballydown townland a substantial, U-shaped medieval ditch was excavated (Site 2) on the Belfast Transmission Pipeline. Over 400 sherds of locally produced medieval jugs and cooking vessels were recovered. The lower fill was artefactually sterile but it is hoped that there is sufficient charcoal within it to yield a radiocarbon date. Within the area bounded by this ditch several other gullies and a subcircular enclosure some 10m in diameter were recorded. It is thought at this stage that the ditch may be related to the mound to the north.
Westlink Enterprise Centre, 30–50 Distillery St., Belfast BTJ2 5BJ
