2008:060 - A1 Scheme 1, Newry, Derrybeg – Site 13, Armagh

This site was investigated during the construction of a new bypass around Newry, Co. Down/Armagh (A1-Scheme 1). The excavations took place over two periods, from 28 February to 10 March, and from 7 to 10 April 2008.
Located in the townland of Derrybeg, c. 2km north-west of Newry city centre, the most southerly point of the site was located at the end of Derrybeg Lane, which led to various dwellings and farm settlements along its route. ARM026–035 records the location of a possible homestead at the northern end of Derrybeg Lane. An unspecified air photograph shows a large D-shaped feature which appears to have a bank around the southern edge and it is this area which it is suggested may have been a medieval or 19th-century homestead. As the proposed works would impact directly on this site, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency requested further investigation so that any finds of archaeological significance could be excavated before this section of the road scheme could proceed.
This site extended north and east from the end of Derrybeg Lane across a north-east-facing slope and was spread over a 225m by 60m area of the road-strip. A total of thirteen areas were investigated (A to M) and each will be described in brief. In a number of the excavated areas features extended beyond the limit of excavation to the north and west, showing that other activity exists beyond the edge of the road-strip.
Area A measured 3m by 7m. The archaeology consisted of one oval pit containing burnt bone and charcoal, a post-medieval field boundary and a post-medieval furrow.
Area B measured 11m by 18m. The archaeology consisted of five possible prehistoric pits and thirteen post-medieval furrows.
Area C measured 13m by 16m. The archaeology consisted of thirteen prehistoric pits and one cremation, set around an area of natural bedrock. These pits may be the remains of a structure or pit arrangement associated with the cremation.
Area D measured 5m by 4m and the archaeology consisted of a pit which extended beyond the edge of stripping to the west.
Area E measured 3m by 8m. The archaeology consisted of three charcoal-rich pits cut into subsoil on the edge of an area of bedrock.
Area F measured 8m by 10m. The archaeology consisted of four pits, possibly cremation burials, containing burnt bone, with the remains of seven possible post-holes surrounding these pits. The archaeology was concentrated in a depression between two areas of bedrock. One of the possible cremations truncated a post-hole in this structural arrangement, suggesting that it was later than the main line of post-holes. The practice of cremation became popular from the late Neolithic into the Early Bronze Age period and beyond, with some containing decorated and undecorated urns, as well as offerings. There were several pieces of flint debitage and possible tools recovered in each of the possible cremation pits, with one fill containing 60 pieces of debitage.
On investigation, Area G was found to contain no archaeological features.
Area H measured 12m by 20m. The archaeology consisted of seven post-medieval furrows and five pits of possible prehistoric date. One of these pits extended beyond the edge of the strip and contained hazelnut shells. Its bright red and charcoal-rich layers showed evidence of successive episodes of burning and suggest it may have been used as a cooking pit.
Area I measured 4.5m by 7.5m. The archaeology consisted of one sub-oval pit of possible prehistoric date.
Area J measured c. 13m by 15m. The features investigated were post-medieval drainage features that were part of a drainage system at the base of a 20m-high natural east-facing escarpment which extended across the centre of Site 13.
Area K contained two post-medieval stone-filled drains and no other archaeological features.
Area L measured 2.5m by 2.5m and the archaeology consisted of one isolated charcoal-rich pit.
Area M measured 4.5m by 5m and the archaeology consisted of two charcoal-rich pits.
Overall, this site showed a notable presence of cremations along an area of prominent high ground overlooking the Newry basin and city to the east. This group of cremations, six in total, may be representative of at least part of a possible Bronze Age cemetery. Site 12, AE/08/04 (see No. 59 above), also containing cremations as well as a possible associated ring-ditch and timber circle, is located on the summit of a neighbouring drumlin c. 150m to the north-east.