County: Tyrone Site name: Ballyward, areas 58–61
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/07/213
Author: Frank Mallon, Ingela Ericsson and James McKee, for ADS Ltd, Unit 6, 21 Old Channel Road, Belfast, BT3 9DE.
Site type: Burnt mound, enclosure, pit and field boundary ditch
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 727507m, N 838236m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.277010, -6.042080
Areas 58–61 were investigated as part of the proposed corridor improvements of the line of the A4 between Dungannon and Ballygawley where 15km of new road will be constructed. Located between Chainages 10825 and 12250, they are situated in an area of archaeological sensitivity with several sites of archaeological interest in close proximity, the nearest of which is a rath with a further two raths, a crannog and a bullaun stone also in the near vicinity.
Monitoring of topsoil-stripping identified a number of possible archaeological features located on a south-east-facing slope. Area 58 was situated between Chainages 10825 and 10835. The site consisted of the remains of a burnt mound, four stake-holes and two pits. The features did not form a discernible pattern. Finds included some lithics, flint and quartz.
Area 59 was situated between Chainages 12950 and 12960. The area was divided in three sub-areas, A, B and C. Area A consisted of one subrectangular enclosure and some surrounding pits. The enclosure measured 15.1m in length by 12.3m. There is no evidence for an entrance. Other features included one modern drain. Finds included a large assemblage of flints and one fragment of clay pipe. Area B consisted of a group of ten stake-holes, located nearly 150m to the south of the enclosure. Area C is located to the south-west of Area A and consisted of three features, but during investigation these features all proved to be non-archaeological.
Area 60 was situated at Chainage 12400 at the base of a steep drumlin. The site was identified during monitoring as a number of possible pits and a linear feature. Excavation revealed that the site consisted of one pit and the linear feature was most likely a post-medieval field boundary ditch. The other features were tree boles.
Area 61 was located at the base of a steep drumlin at Chainage 12250. It was identified during monitoring as being of possible archaeological significance, but investigations during the excavation stage revealed that the site was entirely non-archaeological.
