2008:050 - A1 Scheme 1, Newry, Carnagat – Site 17, Armagh

Excavation was carried out at Site 17 as part of the archaeological mitigation strategy for the A1 road improvement scheme, Beech Hill to Cloghogue, Carnbane, Co. Armagh. This site lay between the railway line and the Newry A1 bypass road and measured c. 300m in length by 40m wide. The site is situated along undulating topography, with the predominant slope facing north. This slope continues to the northern boundary of Site 17 to meet the Egyptian Arch. Built in 1844, the Egyptian Arch (IAR62–87) is a notable historical landmark in the area, forming part of the Belfast to Dublin railway line, carrying it over the A25 Camlough Road. It will not be directly affected by the road scheme.
The site is broken down into seven areas (A to G) where archaeological investigation was carried out and these areas will be discussed separately. They showed fourteen features of possible prehistoric date. There were also six features of post-medieval date.
Area A consisted of one isolated pit, with nine fill layers located in the far south of the site. All of the layers incorporated charcoal flecks and suggest at least two burning episodes, signified by the presence of reddened fills and ashy layers. No finds were recovered from this area.
Area B was found to be non-archaeological.
Area C was located c. 50m north of Area A and measured 7m by 13m in plan. The archaeology, which consisted of three parallel linear features orientated south-east to north-west, was found to be post-medieval in date. These linear features probably represent relatively recent agricultural activity; i.e. ploughing.
Area D was located on an area of north-sloping ground c. 30m north of Area C and measured c. 6m by 4m. The area investigated was limited due to the presence of a large boulder dump surrounding the features but the archaeology uncovered comprised three possible pits. All features in this area contained fills with charcoal flecks, although no finds were recovered.
Area E was situated c. 40m north of Area D and measured 12m by 17m. The archaeology consisted of eight pits with no apparent structural pattern. There were five pits in the southern part of the area in a general arc from east to west and extending for a distance of 9m across the area. The remaining three pits, which were intercutting, were located towards the north edge of the area. All of the features observed contained fills with charcoal flecking, although no finds were retrieved.
Area F was on a steep incline facing north and was situated c. 10m north of Area E. The area investigated measured 4.5m by 6m and the features uncovered consisted of two shallow charcoal-rich pits. No finds were found in this area.
Area G was situated at the northern end of Site 17 in a natural depression. The area investigated measured 12m by 17m. The features uncovered were three linear drains. All of the features were orientated east to west and were post-medieval in date. The drains extended towards a wet depression in the west of Area G. These drains therefore were interpreted as part of a post-medieval drainage network.