County: Antrim Site name: TOOME, Toomebridge
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/02/118
Author: Robert M. Chapple, for NAC Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site and Industrial site
Period/Dating: Mesolithic (8000 BC-4001 BC)
ITM: E 698830m, N 890392m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.751817, -6.464755
Monitored topsoil-stripping took place during December 2002 on a development site to the rear (west) of St Oliver Plunkett RC church, Toomebridge, Co. Antrim, before the construction of residential properties by the Ark Housing Association. To the west the area was bounded by the River Bann and the Bann Canal. Outside the development site, beyond its south-western limit, lay those of the 18th-/19th-century Toome House, with the remains of the 15th-century tower-house ‘Toome Castle’ farther to the south-west. One area of c. 955.35m2 was identified as containing more than 50 potential archaeological features. Examination of the topsoil overlying this area led to the recovery of 88 pieces of struck flint, along with seven flint cores and one possible hammerstone. Preliminary analysis suggests that the assemblage contains material from both the Early and the Late Mesolithic (P. McCooey, pers. comm.). Although it is too early to speculate on the nature of the settlement here, it seems likely that activity was centred on a low rise extending above the level of the flood-plain of the River Bann. Excavation is expected to start in 2003.
19 Irwin Drive, Belfast BT4 3AR
