2009:265 - THE MANSE, 10 SEASIDE ROAD, KILLYLEAGH, Down

An archaeological programme of works was carried out on behalf the Second Presbyterian Church, Killyleagh. It related to the proposed development of two two-storey dwellings, garages and associated groundworks at The Manse, No. 10 Seaside Road, Killyleagh. The proposed development site consists of a subrectangular plot measuring c. 55–70m northwest to south-east by 45m–50m wide.
The site is located within the grounds of the existing Manse at Seaside Road, to the north of Killyleagh town, within an archaeologically sensitive landscape on the western shore of Strangford Lough. Given the archaeological potential of the proposed development site, it was recommended that an archaeological evaluation took place prior to the commencement of any development works. This evaluation took the form of test-trenching. Six test-trenches were excavated from north-west to southeast along the length of the site. The trenches measured between 40m and 55m long and were 1.6m wide. The depth of topsoil was largely consistent, but the depth of the trenches varied greatly along the site due to the nature of the deposits encountered therein. The subsoil also varied substantially across the site, indicative of the site location on the foreshore and the changes which have occurred along the shore over time.
Archaeological deposits were encountered across four of the six evaluation trenches. These consisted of raised beach material from which were recovered a number of flint tools. These tools have been examined and found to have examples of both early and later Mesolithic material. It was also noted that the early material was unabraided, suggesting that it may not have moved very far, while the later material seems more water-rolled. The total extent of the raised beach as encountered in the test-trenches was 15m north-west to south-east by 10.5m. The deposits extend from the south-west of the site and are located from 0.2m below the present ground level up to a depth of c. 1.2m in parts.
In addition, there was a post-hole in Trench 1, a linear cut running across Trenches 2 and 3 and charcoal-rich deposits or features along the edge of the raised beach. Only Trenches 5 and 6 had no features or deposits of archaeological significance.
It has been recommended that the raised beach be exposed in its entirety in advance of construction to allow time for the recording of deposits and any features encountered therein. This work is due to take place in early 2010.