2008:1204 - Golan, Area 23, Tyrone

Area 23 was 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. A total of 43 SMR sites lie within 500m of either side of the new road alignments. In general these sites date to the Early Christian period, with many raths, enclosures and a number of ecclesiastical sites represented. Prehistoric activity, both settlement and ritual, is very poorly represented. Located between Chainages 3200 and 3320, Area 23 revealed a wealth of archaeology evidencing different phases of prehistoric settlement and habitation. For ease of discussion, the sites located in this area will be referred to as a, b and c.
Area 23a
Area 23a was located between Chainages 3200 and 3320 and covered an area measuring 15m by 20m. In the western half of 23a evidence of a small settlement consisting of two slot-trenches, roughly 30 post-holes, around six pits and several hundred stake-holes, as well as a number of longer narrow linear features was uncovered. Parts of three larger boundary ditches and a possible smaller one crossed the site. A small isolated group of two medium-sized pits and parts of a possible further slot-trench (running north-west/south-east) were discovered near the eastern limit of the site. One of the pits contained prehistoric pottery possibly linking the cluster of features with the main settlement area. The slot-trench was excavated but no accompanying stake-holes could be found.
The main slot-trench of the settlement was of semicircular shape and measured c. 10m in length. The interior edge of the trench was accompanied by a line of stake-holes occurring in intervals of c. 0.2–0.3m and representing the remains of fencing. The feature was truncated in the north-eastern area by a larger boundary ditch (running south-east/north-west) of possible post-medieval date taking a 90° turn at this point to continue towards the north-east. In the north-western part it was cut a second time by a more narrow and shallow ditch or trench (running north-west/south-east), which reached c. 2.5m into the enclosed settlement. Although two flint tools came out of this feature, the find of post-medieval pottery is more likely to indicate its date. The first slot-trench was followed closely to the north by a second shorter one, limited to the west and east by the afore-mentioned boundary ditches.
A group of narrow linear features running parallel or crossing each other were uncovered in an area of c. 2m by 3m in the western area of the enclosure. It seems possible that this structure represented the remains of a small wooden beam foundation for a raised platform rather than prehistoric ploughmarks.
The remaining parts of the enclosure consisted of some pits, notably a centrally situated large circular one which was refilled at one point to accommodate space for a set of five posts. A second similar-sized pit was located 2m towards the south-west which also bore the remains of a later post-hole. Several hundred stake-holes probably used for diverse small-scale constructions were found spread over the whole interior, with the largest concentration in the central area. Equally distributed were the c. 30 excavated post-holes, although the main body was confined to the southern open half of the semi-enclosure.
Area 23b
Area 23b was located between Chainages 3200 and 3320 and covered an area measuring 30m by 35m. It consisted of a complex series of slot-trenches, stake-holes, post-holes and pits which appeared to form an outer egg-shaped enclosing slot or gully containing an inner circular-shaped structure formed by two concentric slot-trenches. Within the circular structure was a series of pits located just inside the slot-trench; there were five in total and these were similar in size and nature. One measured 1.3m long, 1.65m wide and 0.16m deep, its fill contained a piece of burnt flint. Some of the others contained fragments of prehistoric pottery. It was suggested that these could be rubbish pits, but their location along the slot may suggest some sort of structural function. Near to one was a circular post-hole, measuring 0.42m in diameter and 0.3m deep with a U-shaped profile. A stake-hole had been inserted along one edge, probably to provide additional support for the post. A fragment of flint was recovered from the fill of the post-hole.
Two post-holes were located within the internal slot-trench, one at the southern terminus, probably acting as a door support or entrance marker, the other located in the northern part of the slot was probably an integral part of the wall. One stake-hole was also located in this slot-trench. A group of eighteen stake-holes was located inside the structure and may indicate recurring use of a particular part of the structure for a similar activity or perhaps they represent some sort of internal furniture or platform; they appeared as subrectangular in plan.
A double ring of eighteen stake-holes was located between the two slot-trenches which formed the wall of the circular structure. A post-hole was also located between the two sections of slot-trench forming the structure.
A series of eleven stake-holes, located outside the structure but within the outer gully, formed a line 4.1m in length and may indicate a windbreaker or fence.
Area 23c
Area 23c was located between Chainages 3200 and 3320 and covered an area measuring 20m by 20m. It consisted of a series of pits located to the south-east and east of Area 23b. Area 23b was the focus of significant prehistoric habitation, with a large enclosure and circular structure at its centre. The features in Area 23c are likely to be related to this activity.
Features uncovered included two rubbish pits which contained pottery, flint debitage, flint scrapers, a grinding stone, charcoal and occasional burnt bone among their fills. A small circular hearth, a stake-hole, a post-hole, a charcoal spread and three other pits were also excavated. Some of these features were truncated by the two modern field drains which cut through the site. All these features were spread out and did not appear to relate to each other in any discernible way.