2005:353 - BANBRIDGE: Cascum Road, Bridgewater Park, Down

Excavation was carried out during the summer of 2005 relating to the development of a large retail outlet located off the A1 in Banbridge, Co. Down. Archaeological deposits were uncovered during topsoil removal, comprising primarily a circular structure, the remains of two burnt spreads and dispersed small pits, all of which were spread across five areas of the development site.

The circular structure, a possible Bronze Age house, was located on the highest point of the development and would have afforded good views to north, west and east, although slightly less so to the south, where the ground continues to rise. The structure was defined by a circular foundation trench measuring 0.8m in width by 0.18m in depth and enclosed an area of 9.8m in diameter. The footing trench was generally filled by friable mid-grey/brown sandy clay which contained frequent sub-angular stones. Two entrances are represented, one at the south and the other to the north-east. The entrance to the south provided a gap 2m wide and displayed rounded terminals. The north-east entrance appeared to be much wider, with a gap of at least 6.8m. It was interesting to note two shallow irregular deposits situated within this entranceway and most probably relating to the structure. It is possible that these are the remains of a floor surface relating to the entranceway.

A small amount of coarse undecorated pottery was retrieved from the fill of the wall slot close to the entrance at the north of the structure. Although it has yet to be examined by a specialist, it has been tentatively dated as Late Bronze Age.

Within the interior of the structure, 0.6m from the western internal wall, centred within the enclosed space, were two pits spaced 0.1m apart. These were the only features present within the interior of the structure. The larger measured 2.5m north–south by 1m by 0.32m in depth. The smaller subrectangular pit measured 0.8m east–west by 0.28m by 0.38m in depth. Neither pit contained a notable amount of charcoal so did not appear to represent an internal hearth. Their function is unclear.

Of the external features, located within the northern area outside the structure was a large pit which was sub-rounded in shape, measuring 2.2m north-west/south-east by 2.5m by 0.2m in depth. This was filled by light whitish-grey sandy clay with occasional charcoal flecks and mid-grey sandy clay with occasional charcoal flecks, neither of which produced any finds. This may represent an external cooking area located 1.6m from the north external edge of the structure.

The burnt spreads were situated further north on the lower-lying areas of the site. These probable remains of fulachta fiadh produced large pits, which were interpreted as troughs. The shallowest spread had two associated large pits/troughs, which were simple subsoil-cut pits, and a further three small pits dispersed around the perimeters of the area.

The second fulacht fiadh was located in the lowest-lying area. The main focus in this area was the remains of a large sub-rounded pit measuring 2.4m north–south by 2m by 0.56m in depth and containing two concentric rings of small wooden stakes which had been driven into the base of the pit. These were in fairly good condition and survived to a length of up to 0.24m. Located above the remains of these stakes was a lining along the base of wooden timbers, placed east–west across the bottom of the pit. The timbers did not, however, cover the entire base of the pit—the southern portion was left unlined. This section of the pit was filled with dark-black loamy clay with frequent burnt angular stone and a large amount of charcoal. Above the timbers was a soft dark-brown peat deposit with occasional charcoal flecks and small burnt stones. Above this was mid-blue/grey silty clay with frequent mottling of dark-brown peat and light yellowish-brown silty clay and occasional charcoal flecks. This was located below light yellowish-brown silty clay with occasional charcoal flecks and also flecks of peat. No datable finds were retrieved from the fills within this pit.

The archaeological deposits uncovered within the development at Bridgewater Park were all located within five different areas of the site. Although no 14C dates have yet been analysed, it may be that most of these areas represent prehistoric activity.

Unit 48, Westlink Enterprise Centre, 30–50 Distillery Street, Belfast, BT12 5BJ