2009:207 - CORKEY, Donegal

The proposed development site is located close to the possible site of a standing stone (DG062–002) at Corkey, Manorcunningham. A site inspection undertaken on 25 March 2009 confirmed that no extant standing stone or other visible aboveground archaeological features were to be found on the site. A total of 0.68ha of detailed gradiometer survey was conducted throughout the area of proposed development on 20 April 2009 by Target Geophysics (09R093). Five linear and pit-like anomalies were identified within and close to the boundaries of the development site by the geophysical survey.
Testing was undertaken targeting the geophysical anomalies. Of the five anomalies investigated, only anomaly A was deemed archaeologically significant. Anomaly A is an irregular-shaped feature that measured c. 4.4m by 2m and was located (by handheld GPS) at 223173 409819 (± 2m). The pit contained a charcoal-rich fill containing cremated bone and crudely made pottery (prehistoric) and mixed topsoil containing large sub-angular stones. These stones may potentially have been utilised as packing stones for the standing stone originally recorded at this location. The irregular shape of the feature and the associated disturbed appearance of the topsoil may have been caused by the removal of the standing stone in the recent past. As a result, it is likely that this represents the true location of the standing stone site which is a short distance west of the original estimated location on the RMP record. Cultivation furrows were also observed in this trench. Feature A was located south of the development site boundary and was preserved in situ.