1998:629 - COPNEY, Tyrone

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Tyrone Site name: COPNEY

Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 37:21 Licence number:

Author: Norman Crothers, Archaeological Excavation Unit, Built Heritage, EHS

Site type: Stone circle

Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)

ITM: E 665677m, N 873676m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.607071, -6.983403

A tract of land in this site, which is in state care, was being made available to a farmer to allow access for animals. Before this happened the area was archaeologically examined.

Two previously unknown circles, K and L, were discovered, as were other stone settings and laid surfaces. Circle K was very disturbed, with three stones comprising its remains within the excavated area; further potential elements of the setting, however, could be detected within the bog, suggesting a diameter of c. 9m. Circle L was virtually intact, although some of its stones had toppled, and its dimensions were 10.5m north-south x 9m. The circles had been erected upon prepared surfaces of clay and small stones, and very compact banks of clay and stones were uncovered within them.

5–33 Hill Street, Belfast