2005:307 - DUNCASTLE ROAD, NEW BUILDINGS, Derry

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Derry Site name: DUNCASTLE ROAD, NEW BUILDINGS

Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 22:26 Licence number: AE/05/90

Author: Joseph Kovacik, ADS Ltd, Westlink Enterprise Centre, 30–50 Distillery Street, Belfast, BT12 5BJ.

Site type: Prehistoric

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 641122m, N 911738m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.951622, -7.358046

A number of archaeological features were investigated during the Phase I works at Duncastle Road. For the most part the features consisted of curvilinear gullies or ditches, small pits, possible hearths and a series of probable windbreaks. The archaeological activity appeared to increase with proximity to a mound that is situated in the western area of the development site. In the absence of 14C dates and further analysis, excavations here suggest that the site was subject to sporadic human activity, probably of a temporary nature – as evidenced by the possible windbreaks. Given the archaeological ambience of the area and the location of the mound, it is likely that this activity is prehistoric in date.
A second phase of archaeological works is to be undertaken at Duncastle Road in the near future.