2009:036 - LOAN CSR, DRUMRAW/BALLYCONNELLY/ DRUMRANKIN, Antrim

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping along the route of a proposed water pipeline between Loan Command Reservoir and Tully Road Reservoir, Co. Antrim, was carried out over a period of five days between 21 September and 2 October 2009. A total of c. 2.8km of the proposed pipeline underwent monitoring, with the resulting identification of one area of archaeological activity of a probable prehistoric date.
The remains of an isolated subsoil-cut feature were identified along the route of the pipeline. This feature contained a charcoal-rich deposit with a small amount of burnt bone within. The very small quantity of recovered bone makes interpretation of the function of the pit difficult, but it is possible that the deposition of the burnt bone may represent the remains of a badly truncated prehistoric burial, or alternatively it could represent the remains of a refuse pit containing food remains. However, given that no additional archaeological activity was identified in association with this feature and no datable artefacts were recovered from its fill, the function of the pit remains uncertain.