1996:013 - CASTLE UPTON, Templepatrick, Antrim

Archaeological monitoring and excavation have been ongoing at Castle Upton, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim, since October 1996. This work is being carried out by Archaeological Development Services Ltd in the area of a proposed golf-course and hotel complex. An area of approximately 160 acres is under development.

Monitoring of topsoil revealed evidence of substantial prehistoric activity. To date (January 1997) seven sites have been identified, of which four have been fully excavated.

The most extensive remains located (Site 1) consisted of two interconnected Bronze Age hut circles on a ridge of free-draining gravels. The earlier hut foundation had an internal diameter of roughly 7m and a wall slot 0.5m deep. This hut was cut by a later, and bigger, example with an internal diameter of approximately 13m and a shallower wall slot, c. 0.15m deep. Within this structure was a double row of postholes, most probably acting as roof supports. A possible cooking pit was located 4m west of the structures.

Elsewhere, the partial remains of a third hut circle (Site 2) were also located and excavated. This, too, was probably Bronze Age in date. Unlike Site 1 and the majority of the other sites uncovered, all of which were situated on natural gravel ridges, Site 2 was located in a hollow prone to waterlogging.

The structure was heavily truncated but appeared to have an internal diameter of approximately 5m. Several internal postholes, probably roof supports, were also uncovered. As at Site 1, an external cooking pit was found close by.

Site 3 was located on a raised area close to the Sixmile Water and consisted of a series of pits and postholes. Extensive disturbance of the features by cultivation furrows and animal activity makes definitive interpretation of the site difficult at this stage.

On another gravel ridge a series of three ring-ditches were uncovered (Site 4). The largest example had an internal diameter of 6.5m and consisted of a U-shaped ditch, 1m deep. Two centrally positioned circular pits were uncovered. The smallest ring-ditch was approximately 2m in diameter. It was cut by a V-shaped gully that ran off to the south for a distance of 2m and terminated in a hearth pit. The third ring-ditch was approximately 3m in diameter.

Artefacts recovered from the sites so far investigated include a saddle quern, polished porcellanite axeheads, flint arrowheads and various other flint implements, as well as sherds of Bronze Age pottery. One of the pits from Site 3 also produced pottery of possible Neolithic date.

The project at Castle Upton is still continuing. At least two further hut circles and a cremation burial have yet to be investigated. It is hoped that analysis of the material recovered will offer an important insight into this large portion of County Antrim's prehistoric landscape.

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