County: Antrim Site name: BALLYWONARD/BALLYVASTON
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/02/67
Author: Eoin Halpin, ADS Ltd.
Site type: Burnt mound, Pit and Hearth
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 729923m, N 881994m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.669332, -5.985783
The area encompassed by the Mayfield village development is archaeologically sensitive, containing one known monument and the possible remains of at least a further three sites. A stone-and- earthen mound (SMR 56:13), thought to be a Bronze Age barrow, stands on a ridge at Ballywonard. In the field immediately to the north of the mound a series of small plot divisions with cultivation ridges and probable settlement platforms survives. The remains of a medieval chapel with a possible associated well (Down 56:41) and a ruined castle (Down 56:42) have not been located but were noted by Reeves (1847). O’Laverty (1876–95) recorded an enclosure or rath c. 300m south-south-east of this castle. It is presumed to be situated near the Hightown terrace, although there is no local knowledge of it.
During a phase of monitored topsoil-stripping associated with the Mayfield housing development, several features of archaeological interest were uncovered. These included a small curving gully from which Early Bronze Age pottery and worked flint were recovered and the truncated remains of a burnt mound, comprising charcoal and heat-shattered stone, with a large pit below it, most likely a trough. In addition, a series of pits, hearths and post-holes was uncovered, from which pottery and flint was found.
References
O’Laverty, J. 1876–95 History of the diocese of Down and Connor (5 vols), vol. 2. Dublin.
Reeves, W. 1847 Ecclesiastical antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore. Dublin.
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