County: Tyrone Site name: OMAGH WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/04/01
Author: Tony Kensall, Gahan & Long Ltd.
Site type: Cremation pit
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 644012m, N 876625m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.635922, -7.318276
Archaeological works were carried out in two phases in advance of the construction of a wastewater treatment works and associated pipeline. The first phase involved the removal of topsoil along the route of the pipeline within the MountJoy Forest West Estate. This was conducted using a mechanical digger fitted with a toothless bucket and revealed no evidence of archaeological deposits.
The second phase required the removal of topsoil across the proposed site of the wastewater treatment plant. This was conducted using a bulldozer. A number of archaeological features were identified. Ten shallow pits were excavated. These were generally circular or oval in plan with sharp sides and a concave base. The majority of the pits were shallow and contained a single fill. This was dark to medium brown loose sandy-clay containing charcoal flecks, small stones, organic rooting, flint fragments and occasional sherds of Neolithic pottery.
The remains of a heavily truncated single cremation burial pit were excavated. It was roughly circular in plan and measured 0.88m north–south by 0.78m. In section it was shallow with gradual sides and a flat base. The pit was cut to a maximum depth of 0.09m. The cut was found to contain a single fill. This consisted of loose dark-brown loamy clay containing frequent charcoal flecks, small fragments of burnt bone, occasional angular and rounded stones and flint fragments.
A single post-hole was also excavated. This was located towards the south-west limits of the site. It was circular in plan and measured c. 0.29m in diameter. In section the post-hole was U-shaped with sharp sides and a slightly concave base. The cut contained a single fill. This consisted of a soft, medium brown sand with occasional small stones and charcoal flecks.
It is not possible to determine whether the clusters of small pits are contemporary with the cremation pit. A number of these pits produced small amounts of Neolithic pottery. While there is no strong indication as to the function of the pits, the deposits of pottery may suggest further ritual activity.
7–9 Castlereagh Street, Belfast, BT5 4NE
