2012:034 - Demesne Quarry, Demesne Upper/Parishagh, Antrim

Archaeological works at the site of Phase 2 proposed quarry extension at Demesne Quarry, Glenarm, Co Antrim were carried out in advance of proposed extension works in response to planning conditions imposed upon the development. Previous monitoring in 2011 identified the scattered remains of prehistoric occupation at the site in the form of pits and an enclosure ditch of Bronze Age date (Excavations 2011, No. 20, AE/11/13). Subsequent monitoring of topsoil stripping for Phase 2 extension in 2012 confirmed the existence of a further three areas of probable prehistoric occupation;
Area 1 contained a rectangular post-hole house structure, 8.5m x 3m wide placed along a north–south orientation. The terminal of a large ditch which extended beyond the quarry boundaries was uncovered to the south of the house. While several fragments of struck flint were recovered from the post-holes no dateable artefacts were recovered from this area.
Area 2 was located 30m to the south-west of Area 1 and contained a small cairn feature, 3.5m x 5.5m and up to 0.5m high, consisting of a loose collection of boulders, set within a grey sandy clay which contained a quantity of badly preserved animal bone. Removal of the stones revealed that the cairn overlay a thin silty clay deposit containing moderate charcoal flecking which in turn overlay a small rectangular post-hole structure measuring 4m x 2.5m, set along an east–west orientation with entrance post-holes within the southern corner of the structure. Again no dateable artefacts were recovered from this area.
Area 3 was located 53m to the south-west of Area 2. This area contained the remains of a 14m-long arcing slot trench which extended beyond the quarry boundaries and which appeared to enclose a smaller semi-circular structure consisting of a series of 6 shallow pits placed along an arc measuring 11.5m in extent. Inside the arc of pits was a series of small post-holes suggestive of a larger structure. The south-west portion of the structure had been removed by past agricultural activity in the area. Pottery recovered from Area 3 suggested that this activity is contemporary with that identified within Phase 1 works and likely Bronze Age in date.

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