2008:039 - Ballinderry Road, Lisburn, Antrim

The site of Brokerstown (Woodbrook village) is situated on the western outskirts of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, and lies across the two townlands of Knockmore and Ballymacoss. The development site is roughly rectangular in shape and measures c. 450m north–south by 240m, encompassing an area of 10.8ha. Initial topsoil-stripping took place on 13–15 June 2007. Further topsoil-stripping and excavations took place between 20 February and 7 July 2008. Post-excavation analysis associated with this phase of works is ongoing.
The archaeology found included a Neolithic rectangular house measuring 5m by 7.5m as uncovered. The house was orientated approximately west to east and continued into a baulk within a tree preservation area to the east. The structure did not continue beyond the tree-line, c. 5m further east, therefore the length of this Neolithic structure is greater than 7.5m and less than 12.5m. The structure consisted of the remains of a subrectangular wall slot which enclosed eleven pits/post-holes. Both the slot-trench and nine of the pits/post-holes were cut into a metalled layer; the two remaining pits/post-holes were cut into subsoil. The Neolithic house is dated by period due to the presence of fragments of a distinctive pottery type known as ‘carinated bowl’ pottery. The ‘carination’, or shoulder, on the pot is indicative of a Neolithic typology.
Elsewhere on-site, a penannular ditch of possible Bronze or Iron Age date was uncovered. The cut for the penannular ditch formed an almost complete circle, with the exception of a small causeway measuring 0.5m wide across the ditch, facing north-north-west. The inner diameter was c. 4.7m throughout, with external diameters of 6m east–west by 5.8m. An area of 16.6m2 was enclosed. The depth of the ditch varied between 0.16m and 0.34m, with the width between 0.5m and 0.8m. The base was consistently flat throughout the circumference of the ditch. Several pieces of flint debitage were found on the north-east side of the ditch along with a large piece of slag. This ring-ditch could be related to funerary practice or may represent the remains of a small enclosure or house.
To date, the remaining archaeology consisted of a total of 114 pits of possible prehistoric date, with some containing fragments of prehistoric pottery. There was also one possible hearth with a stone surround, as well as two curvilinear post-medieval ditches. The majority of the archaeology was located along an east–west-orientated sheugh that, when excavated below subsoil, showed evidence of earlier watercourses.
These investigations complete Phase 1 of this development; Phase 2 will involve further topsoil-stripping in the north portion of the site. The commencement date of the second phase is unknown at the time of writing.