2009:183 - HAW ROAD, DERRY, Derry

The site is located on lands off Haw Road, Coolkeeragh, Co. Derry. It measures c. 250m northeast to south-west by 90m at its widest point and is currently open pasture land. The proposed development, which will see an extensive ground reduction and levelling of the site, concerns the excavation of rock. The excavated rock will be used as infill material at an adjacent road scheme, while the reduced ground will be surfaced to create additional storage and parking for Londonderry Port.
There are 21 archaeological sites within a 2km radius of the proposed development, three of which lie in close proximity to the development. One of these sites (LDY14A–033) was located in a field immediately adjacent to the proposed development site. It was here in 2002 that excavations, carried out by Eoin Halpin of ADS Ltd, uncovered evidence of Neolithic activity and remains of burnt mound or fulachta fiadh which produced sherds of Bronze Age pottery (Excavations 2002, No. 385, AE/02/56).
An archaeological evaluation took place in October 2009. Five test-trenches were excavated across the proposed development in which sixteen deposits of archaeological potential were uncovered, with the majority of these deposits being interpreted as being shallow pits or post-holes.
Although the deposits uncovered were appropriately investigated by hand, no dating evidence was uncovered. That being said, one deposit consisted of black charcoal-rich soil with burnt stones which is suggestive of burnt-mound material. As burnt mounds tend to date to the Bronze Age, it is possible that the other features uncovered may be contemporary with this.
As archaeological deposits were uncovered, it is likely that additional deposits survive beyond the limits of the trenches investigated. No further
groundworks will take place until the planning process has been completed.