2006:425 - LIMAVADY CIVIC CENTRE, Derry

It is proposed by Limavady Borough Council to demolish the existing town hall and adjacent buildings in advance of the construction of a new civic centre, to be located on Main Street, Limavady. The archaeological assessment consisted of the excavation of a series of thirteen test-trenches across the site. Trenches 1–9 were excavated under licence number AE/05/26 and trenches 10–13 were excavated under licence number AE/06/15.

The initial assessment demonstrated the presence of probable 17th-century activity within the site, as well as a number of modern features. The majority of features were contained within Trenches 3–5. Trench 8 was also extended to fully expose a large pit identified within it. The extension of the excavation area revealed the full extent of the previously identified archaeological features and indicated the presence of a number of additional features. All identified features were fully excavated.

The excavated remains represent evidence of multi-period activity within the area of the development site. The excavation revealed a series of agricultural/horticultural gullies and large refuse pits of 17th-century date. It is likely that these gullies represent the remains of agricultural/horticultural activity within an area of ‘back garden’ or they may be the remains of rural activity, which is now located within an urban environment. A number of these gullies and pits have been truncated by building activity of 19th-century or later date and this would suggest the encroachment of the urban environment on the rural setting.

Two pits appear to have been recuts of the original pits and, as such, this may provide an indication of the longevity of activity on the site.

7–9 Castlereagh Street, Belfast, BT5 4NE