2009:032 - CASTLE QUAY/OLDERFLEET BAY, CURRAN AND DRUMALLIS, Antrim

This archaeological evaluation, carried out in April 2009, was in relation to the proposed extension of the existing marshalling area at the southern end of Larne Harbour to include lands to the south of the harbour and an area of seabed at Castle Quay within the port.
Test-trenching within the landward side of the proposed development coupled with a maritime dive and metal-detection survey was carried out. The dive survey recorded a large number of metallic contacts but did not record the presence of any significant concentration of metals which could be indicative of the presence of a singular large buried feature. The survey noted that all of the visible metal contacts appeared to be mooring related, being either chains or weights. The testing indicated that much of the site had been previously disturbed by modern building while also confirming the existence of relic-raised beach deposits throughout the landward portion of the proposed development, existing to a depth of at least 2m below ground level.
Located beneath modern demolition rubble and garden soil deposits and associated with relic-buried raised beach material, several archaeological deposits consisting of midden refuse (i.e. kitchen refuse such as shell and animal bone) and struck flint indicate the existence of past coastal occupation within this area of Larne. The recovery of struck flint indicates a prehistoric date for this activity, the recovery of cattle and goat bones and therefore a degree of animal husbandry, suggesting a Neolithic or Bronze Age date rather than a Mesolithic origin. No evidence of archaeological remains associated with the historic castle were identified.