2008:059 - A1 Scheme 1, Newry, Derrybeg – Site 12, Armagh

Site 11 was investigated as part of an archaeological mitigation strategy for the construction of a new bypass around Newry, Co. Down/Armagh (A1 Scheme 1). The pattern of cultural history for the region shows there has been intensive occupation right through from early times, with known archaeological sites ranging from the Neolithic to mills which remained in use until only 100 years ago. The desktop assessment undertaken by Scott Wilson Scotland Ltd/Fergus McIlveen LLP revealed that the proposed development would impact directly on four archaeological sites: two standing stones DOW040–036 and DOW046–044; two possible rectangular houses DOW040–024; and a motte DOW046–002 at Mount Hill. From records held by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and additional aerial photographs, a further 25 potential archaeological sites were identified in the study area.
Site 12 was located on Craigmore Hill, Derrybeg, Co. Armagh, and was discovered during the mechanical removal of topsoil in advance of groundworks on the A1 Scheme 1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue road improvement scheme. Excavation was carried out in advance of the commencement of groundwork associated with the construction of the road. The archaeology present within the study area appears to have represented both ritual and possible domestic usage consisting of two possible Neolithic enclosures, a cremation cemetery enclosed by a timber circle, a small Bronze Age cremation cemetery and seven small stake structures, at least one of which may have been a house. Also occurring on Craigmore Hill was a scatter of archaeological activity ranging from isolated spreads, pits and post-holes to the remains of a small metalworking pit. Preliminary analysis of the pottery indicates a broad date range for the site of c. 3600–1740 bc. The site was divided into six areas for the purpose of excavation, with the main concentrations of archaeological remains located in Areas 1, 2 and 4.
Area 1 was located near the crest of the hill to the immediate west and south-west of Area 2. The archaeological remains in Area 1 comprised two discrete areas: 1A and 1B. In Area 1A, an episode of colluvium represented the first phase of activity. Phase 2 comprised five stake-hole clusters, a linear alignment of stake-holes and several isolated pits and spreads located at and extending beyond the western margin of the study area on the south-west-facing slope of the hill. The stake-hole clusters appeared to have represented small structures, with Structure 3, which appeared to have been the remains of a small sub-oval roofed structure, being the most clearly defined. Structures 3 and 4 were separated by a linear stake-hole palisade, orientated east-south-east to west-north-west and extending west outside the study area. Structure 7 was located to the south of Structure 3 but survived only as charcoal-rich patches of soil. As this area was heavily truncated, the deposits were recorded as potentially archaeological, although no cuts survived. Phase 3 comprised two pits that truncated Structures 5 and 6 respectively. Area 1B was located to the immediate west of Area 2 and north of Area 1A. The archaeological remains in the area comprised ten pits and three post-holes.
The archaeology of Area 2 comprised two clear phases of activity located near the crest of Craigmore Hill. Phase I was defined by a substantial prehistoric penannular ditch with an opening to the south-east and an internal diameter of 13.6m. Following a period of natural silting, a minimum of three vessels were deposited into the ditch within a confined area c. 3m south-west of the southern terminus. Preliminary analysis of the pottery dates it to the Neolithic period. A further period of natural silting of possible bank material into the ditch sealed the pottery, which was subsequently followed by several instances of charcoal-rich deposits around the ditch. The ditch was subsequently slighted where the remainder of possible bank material appeared to have been deposited into the ditch, thus levelling the ground.
Following the levelling of the area, a timber circle comprising a ring of 22 post-holes, the eastern side of which truncated the upper fills of the ditch, represented the second phase of activity at the enclosure. With an internal diameter of just over 11m, the post-ring occupied the eastern two-thirds of the ditch area. The post-ring enclosed several cremations, post-holes, spreads and a small rectangular stake-hole structure. The rectangular stake structure was located at the north-east limit of the enclosed area. A single stake-hole post-dated the primary deposit of one of the cremations and therefore the structure may post-date the post-ring. Four clusters of features were located east, south, north and south-east of the enclosure area. Two isolated features and two spreads were located on the east-facing slope of the hill. One of the pits exhibited evidence of metalworking.
Area 4 was located to the south-east of Area 1 and was overlooked from the north by Area 2 and from the south by Site 13 (see No. 60 below, AE/08/05). The archaeology in this area comprised the remains of a prehistoric enclosure ditch, a small cremation cemetery and two pit clusters. The enclosure ditch had opposing entranceways at the south-east and north-west, with a small causeway also located at the south, where it appeared to respect a change from natural soil to bedrock. The ditch appeared to have been truncated along its western side, where only basal deposits survived, and produced several broken prehistoric pottery vessels from the upper fills along the east. The small cremation cemetery was located downslope of the enclosure at the western limits of the site. The cremations were both cut into and sealed by colluvium, and were bounded by a stone bank feature to the east and a raised bedrock outcrop to the west. Four of the seven cremations occurred in pits, three of which were accompanied by or contained within pottery vessels. The remaining cremation deposits were multiple deposits within a small stone-lined cist. An inverted highly decorated vase was also present within the cist and was associated with either the first or second phases of deposition. Preliminary analysis of this vase dates it to the Early Bronze Age.
The archaeological remains of Areas 3, 5 and 6 collectively comprised two pits, a small stake-hole, ten charcoal-rich spreads and two intercutting post-medieval linear features.