2008:034 - Craigs Quarry, Jockeysquarter, Antrim

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping was carried out at the proposed quarry extension at Craigs Quarry, Jockeysquarter, Glenwherry, Ballymena, from 28 April to 21 May 2008. The proposed quarry extension area measured c. 290m north–south by c. 540m.
A number of scattered subsoil-cut archaeological features were identified during the course of monitoring works at the site. Uncovered within the northern portion of the quarry extension were two subsoil-cut pits that were found to contain charcoal-rich deposits displaying evidence of burning, of which one of the pits contained burnt bone, believed to be from a cremation. The partial remains from a fragmentary pot of probable Western Neolithic form was found within a natural depression 5m south of these features, suggesting a possible correlation between all three features. A stone outcrop measuring 26m by 20m was also investigated and found to be non-archaeological.
Further south of the aforementioned features the remains of four pits were uncovered. The largest pit measured 1.17m by 0.7m by 0.29m deep and contained a homogenous charcoal-flecked silty clay. Located 36m to the north of that feature were two intercutting pits; the earliest pit measured 0.75m in length and contained traces of charred hazelnut shell and a small number of pottery sherds of probable Neolithic date. This pit had been cut by a smaller pit and was filled by similar material but contained no finds. The final pit was located 24m east of the intercutting pits and contained four pieces of flint.