2010:031 - Drumnagreagh, Antrim

Pre-development evaluation was carried out in advance of a proposed hydroelectric scheme adjacent to ANT030–033, an early medieval ecclesiastic site and graveyard. A series of hand-excavated test-pits were placed along the line of the proposed pump-house and pipe trench which was to extend along the outside boundary of the scheduled area. The results of the evaluation proved that while no burial remains were identified outside of the area of the scheduled monument the remains of a shallow ditch was uncovered extending along a north-east/south-west alignment across the north-east corner of the PDA, being located between 3–7m from the existing southern field boundary. Numerous flint artifacts in the form of flint cores, struck flakes and a number of flint scrapers were recovered from the fills of the ditch, as were several fragments of animal bone. A number of small sherds of pottery were also recovered from the sandy gravel deposits within the ditch suggesting a Neolithic/Bronze Age date for this feature.