2012:012 - BALLYNAFIE, Antrim

Monitoring of topsoil removal at Tully Service Reservoir, Ballynafie, Co. Antrim was undertaken in advance of groundworks associated to the proposed development. The development relates to the replacement of the existing Tully Service Reservoir with new waterpipes, one running south, the other to the west, and both connecting to pre-existing infrastructure.

The monitoring of the topsoil stripping revealed archaeological deposits, mainly pits, scattered throughout the development. These were fully excavated. The features formed a general scatter of deposits with no apparent pattern to their layout. Several hearths, along with a charcoal-production pit, were also noted though no actual structural remains were found. A small number of artefacts, including prehistoric pottery and several struck flints, amongst them a burnt plano-convex blade, were recovered. The nature of these artefacts suggests that the majority of the remains on the site date to the late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age and likely represent short-term transient exploitation of this locale. The charcoal production pit may be of medieval origin and was probably used to produce charcoal for local requirements.