2009:176 - BALLYBRIEST QUARRY, BALLYBRIEST, Derry

Topsoil removal and monitoring took place on 4 March 2009 within an area c. 20m by 20m in Phase 1 of the quarry, along the southern limit of the site. The topsoil consisted of a layer of gorse and reeds on top of a deep bog. The bog material itself was spongy and retained a lot of water. Three separate layers of bog were visible within the section face, consisting of a dark-brown peaty material, c. 1.2m thick, on top of a mid-orangey-brown, sandy, clayey and peaty layer, c. 1m thick, which contained a large amount of decaying plant material and decaying wood. This was on top of a second peat layer, at least 1.5m deep, which retained a large amount of water which backfilled any area excavated. Due to the depth of the bog material and the spongy/soft nature of the material, the exact depth could not be determined and the natural subsoil could not be reached safely. No archaeological features were uncovered during the monitoring process.