County: Derry Site name: CUTT'S HOUSE, Coleraine
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/01/04
Author: Ciara McManus, ADS
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 684873m, N 932324m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 55.130999, -6.669118
Test-trenching was carried out as part of an archaeological impact assessment for a proposed development at Cutt's House, Coleraine. Five test-trenches were excavated within the proposed development area using a mechanical digger fitted with a toothless bucket.
The first trench was located along the riverbank, between it and a small stream that flowed from behind the proposed development into the river. Excavation revealed that the riverbank in this area consisted of a man-made build-up of large boulders to a depth of 1.45m–2m. No archaeological remains were uncovered.
The second trench was within the walled garden area of the existing Cutt's House, and was placed along the footprint of the proposed boathouse. Again topsoil was removed to uncover both the underlying subsoil and bedrock. No archaeological features were uncovered within this trench, although the southern end did produce a deposit of rubble material.
The third trench was 0.5m to the west of Trench 2 and ran parallel to it. It was opened to assess the extent of the rubble deposit in Trench 2. Again topsoil was stripped to reveal the deposit of clay and rubble within the southern end of the trench to a depth of 1.5m.
The fourth trench was at the southern end of the garden and was placed at right angles to Trenches 2 and 3. Removal of the topsoil revealed subsoil to a depth of 0.2–0.3m. No archaeological features were uncovered.
The fifth trench was parallel to the west wall of the garden and at right angles to Trench 4. Removal of the topsoil revealed subsoil to a depth of 0.25m. Again no archaeological features were uncovered within this trench.
Unit 48, Westlink Enterprise Centre, 30–50 Distillery Street, Belfast, BT12 5BJ
