County: Louth Site name: BALLYMACSCANLAN RIVER, AGHNASKEAGH/PLASTER (Area 13)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A002/000, A002/010
Author: David Kilner, Archaeological Development Services Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 706986m, N 811966m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.045753, -6.366355
Metal detecting commissioned by DRD Roads Service was carried out in the Ballymacscanlan River between Chainages 12560 and 12630 in the Aghnaskeagh and Plaster townlands. This stretch of the river will be impacted on by the proposed A1/N1 Newry-Dundalk link road.
Although previous survey work had determined that there were neither fords nor other structures present in the stream, there was the possibility that small artefacts could be embedded in the riverbanks and bed. The Ballymascanlan River at the time of survey was quite deep, being waist-high, c. 1.2m, in places. However, the majority of the river was only knee-deep, c. 0.5m, along the proposed road-take. The metal-detecting search got one hit, a rod-like item c. 0.2m long. This was buried beneath boulders and tree roots and could not be recovered. The item is located along the northern riverbank.
Information from a local farmer indicated that the Ballymascanlan River had been dredged and had its sides rock-armoured in 1967. This would have removed any riverine archaeological structures and riverbed artefacts. It is likely, therefore, that the metal rod is a modern artefact.
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