2007:1745 - RNI05 A4/A5, Site 25, Halftown Road, Annaghilla, Tyrone

Trial-trenching was carried out in April 2007 on the line of the upgraded A4 between 26003 35534 and 26017 35538. A circular enclosure, thought to be a ringfort, which is shown on the first-edition OS map and recorded on the SMR, had been levelled and was no longer visible on the surface when investigation began. The evaluation located the ditches of the enclosure and associated features. The site was fully excavated between July and October 2007.
The excavation revealed three prehistoric structures to the north of the ringfort, at 26005 35540, and other prehistoric features within the interior of the enclosure, including a possible round house and the remains of a ring-barrow or burial mound. Pottery and flint finds point to Neolithic or Bronze Age occupation. A burnt mound was also located to the east of the main site at 26014 35539.
The ringfort had been remodelled at least once. The early ditch was associated with an annexe to the north for holding stock. The later enclosure included an additional outer ditch on the northern side, which appeared to be for show rather than for defence. The ditch was recut in the 19th century on its southern side and reused as a field boundary.
Features associated with iron production were found cut into the bank material on the north-eastern side of the ringfort. These features contained large amounts of slag and included the base of a furnace and a possible ore-roasting pit. On the eastern side of the interior were a group of 23 burials aligned east to west. No bone survived due to the acidic subsoil, although tooth enamel was found in five of the graves.