County: Antrim Site name: BALLYCASTLE: Leyland Road Industrial Estate
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/01/65
Author: Audrey Gahan, ADS
Site type: Ringfort - rath and Souterrain
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 711428m, N 941681m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 55.209773, -6.249224
An area of approximately 7 acres was topsoil-stripped as part of the ongoing IDB strategy of archaeological resolution prior to development or planning. Two areas of archaeological activity were identified. Site A consisted of a series of pits and gullies, while Site B represented the remains of a rath and associated souterrain.
Excavation of Site A revealed that the pits, which appeared to be post-pits and post-holes, may have formed part of the first structure in the area. The gullies, which were interpreted as slot-trenches, cut through some of the post-holes and therefore represent a second phase of activity here. No artefacts were retrieved from the features but soil samples were taken for radiocarbon dating.
Once the extent of the archaeological remains at Site B was ascertained, it was decided not to fully remove topsoil in this area until an agreed strategy could be drawn up. Discussions with the client resulted in an agreement to preserve the archaeological remains in this area in situ.
Unit 48, Westlink Enterprise Centre, 30–50 Distillery Street, Belfast BT12 5BJ
