2010:197 - Bangor, Down

In November 2009 a total of seven evaluation trenches were excavated across the site (Excavations 2009, No. 231, AE/09/159), on lands to the rear of 15–33 Central Avenue, Bangor. The results of this showed that, although modern disturbance on-site has been severe especially in the southern half, subsoil-cut features of archaeological potential survive below the modern overburden in the northern part of the site. Excavation of these features was undertaken in February 2010.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the area in and around Bangor has been inhabited since prehistoric times with four recorded archaeological sites within a 1km radius of the development; i.e. the historic settlement of Bangor (DOW002–039), the old Customs House of 1637 (DOW002–003), Cross Hill (DOW002–027) and Bangor Abbey (DOW002–002), a monastery founded in the 6th century ad and one of the best documented monasteries in Ireland after Armagh. The development site is located on the west-facing slope of a hill, which cartographic evidence suggested was not developed until comparatively recently. Much of the site has been terraced and the present ground level varies greatly on-site.
The excavations involved the investigation of an area measuring approximately 30m by 12m targeting the area where archaeological deposits and features were previously encountered during the evaluation so that they could be recorded prior to development.
The excavation results reveal that several different phases of archaeological activity and land use were identified. The earliest activity identified on-site consists of series of pits. The subsequent activity is marked by a row of post-holes and two post-pits which could indicate the presence of wooden structures/fence lines on-site. The latest activity on-site was post-medieval in date and comprises several linear gullies. The area also showed evidence of later land use in the form of post-medieval garden soil deposits that sealed the earlier features.