County: Down Site name: NI Water Sewer Improvement Scheme, Market Street, Downpatrick
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DOW037–091 Licence number: AE/10/46
Author: Johanna Vuolteenaho, Archaeological Development Services Ltd, Channel Wharf, 21 Old Channel Road, Belfast, BT3 9DE.
Site type: Urban
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 748430m, N 844450m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.327155, -5.717975
The development was located in the area of Market Street in Downpatrick, Co. Down. The archaeological investigations were undertaken on behalf of Northern Ireland Water, and comprised the monitoring of groundworks associated with construction of a new gravity sewer along with five substantial manholes.
The site was located in the area of archaeological potential associated with the historic settlement of Downpatrick (DOW037–091). The sewer improvements were located in the low-lying area of former tidal marsh lands that was first drained and reclaimed during the 19th century.
The earliest deposits recorded during the investigations consisted of tidal silt formations encountered throughout the site. The tidal silts were formed above natural grey glacial gravels, which were reached in two of the five manholes. Concentrations of marine shells were noted within the tidal silt. Thin layers of peat were also noted, especially towards the north end of the marsh and may represent drier periods when vegetation encroached upon the intertidal zone.
A series of upright timbers, all showing evidence of woodworking, were encountered in the northern end of the marsh (Manhole 3), indicating the presence of a possible jetty or a platform near the foot of the cathedral hill. An illustration of Downpatrick’s medieval layout (Buchanan and Wilson 1997) depicts the area as the possible medieval harbour. The presence of upright timbers (approximately 2.8m below the present ground level) would demonstrate that there were at least small jetties or a platform in the area to facilitate loading and unloading vessels.
Evidence of land reclamation was also visible and series of horizontal timbers were laid over the tidal silt formations within Manhole 2. These are likely to present the first attempts to reclaim the land and are likely to date to the post-medieval period. Evidence of later post-medieval land use was also encountered in the form of garden soil deposits possibly associated with backyard areas of former properties.
Reference
Buchanan, R.H. and Wilson, A. 1997 Downpatrick. Irish Historic Towns Atlas, No 8. Dublin.
