2008:006 - Ballyboley, Antrim

Test-trenching was carried out as part of pre-development works at a proposed housing development at 91 Ballyboley Road (Andrews Land), Larne West, Larne. Two phases of testing were carried out. The first phase targeted five areas (sites ANT040–032 and ANT040–078 and three aerial photograph anomalies), with the second phase targeting ANT040–032 (a souterrain partially excavated by Chris Lynn), to confirm its full extent and level of survival.
Testing within the area of ANT040–032 confirmed the existence of archaeological remains associated with Early Christian occupation. This consisted of the surviving remains of a main souterrain passage measuring 13m north-east/south-west. At least two ancillary creep passages associated with the main structure appear to survive. The passage that survives to the north-west is best preserved, with the eastern one having been greatly disturbed by modern groundworks and which may have been part of that excavated by Dr Lynn in the 1970s. Several subsoil-cut features are located near the remains of the souterrain, which may relate to souterrain activity. Several other pits also located within this area appear to relate to modern farmyard animal burials.
Only one of the areas identified as having archaeological potential from aerial photography contained evidence for archaeological deposits. Five subsoil-cut features, two of which appear to be linear gullies that may be earlier field divisions, and three small post-holes, were identified within the western portion of the proposed development area.
Testing of the area marked as ANT040–078 revealed it to be a natural outcropping of bedrock and non-archaeological.