2006:420 - DUNGIVEN: Chapel Road, Derry

Test-trenching was carried out in relation to a planning application for a proposed development site at lands to the rear of 40 Chapel Road, Dungiven (Magheraboy townland). Testing identified several features of probable archaeological nature within the boundaries of the development. In particular, four discrete areas of archaeological activity were identified.

Area 1 is located within Field 1 of the proposed development and consisted of the remains of a large mound, c. 1–1.5m high and 30–36m in diameter, enclosed by a large subsoil-cut ditch. Partial excavation of the ditch revealed it to be a substantial feature, c. 6m wide and 1.5m deep, which appeared to have been backfilled with redeposited subsoil material. Test-trenches across the interior of the ditch suggested that the interior was slightly dished or hollow in comparison to the remainder of the mound. Trenching did not reveal any evidence for internal archaeological activity, although it did reveal a large degree of modern disturbance at the summit of the mound, which may have removed any surviving remains. No datable artefacts were recovered from the small portion of the ditch that was excavated, making interpretation of this feature difficult. The size of the mound and surrounding ditch are within the range of Early Christian rath sizes. The results of a paper search indicate that at least one such rath site existed in the area of the proposed development, with a number of similar enclosures also being recorded within the wider area. It is possible that the mound enclosure uncovered at Chapel Road is part of a larger Early Christian landscape.

Area 2 is also located within Field 1 of the proposed development, this time centred along a relatively flat platform of land overlooking the lower-lying area within Fields 2 and 3. Activity in this area is likely to be prehistoric in nature, due to the occurrence of a possible cremation feature and associated circular post-hole structure. The large subsoil-cut pit within Field 3 may also be related in date and function to the main concentration of prehistoric activity within Area 2. The location of a prehistoric standing stone 300m to the south-west and the recovery of a Bronze Age urn burial 300m to the south-east during construction of a similar housing development attest to the as yet unidentified prehistoric landscape of the Dungiven area.

Area 3 is located within Field 3 of the proposed development, within the lowest and wettest portion of the site. Here evidence for two types of wetland use is evident. In the first instance there is evidence for prehistoric habitation/cooking activity in the form of a burnt spread. These sites are commonly located within wet areas, being ideally located for their ease of access to water, and as such are not uncommon features in the landscape. The second type of wetland use is evidenced by the wooden feature located within a peat-filled hollow. Unlike the burnt spread, there is no indication as to its date or function. The lack of evidence for burning associated with the fulacht fiadh process related to this feature suggests that it is not contemporary with the burnt spread. It was noted during testing that a small river ran along the line of the south-east field boundary to the proposed development into a culvert within the north-west boundary. It is possible that the river had originally run through the centre of the field now occupied by the peat deposits, thus explaining the subsoil gravels and alluvial silts and the location of the burnt spread along a small ridge within the southern corner of the site. The peat-filled hollow may in turn be a man-made feature. As such, the wooden feature within the peat cannot pre-date the realignment of the river and may be a more recent feature, perhaps relating to industrial activity, such as a millpond or flax dam.

Area 4 is defined by a linear field boundary of probable post-medieval date which extends across the lower portion of Field 2.

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