2012:038 - Dunluce Castle, Antrim

An extent of the 17th-century cobbled surface (approx. 25m x 8m) in the approach area to the castle (which is in State Care) was excavated in January 2012 by the CAF. The presence of the cobbling was previously identified through geophysical surveying and test trenching. The sod and topsoil were removed using a mechanical excavator under supervision and the cobbled road surface was then cleaned-back by hand. Only two artefacts of interest were found – a 17th-century trader’s token and a decorative metal mount or fitting, possibly from a leather strap. Three pairs of post-holes were located at the southern end of the trench and these probably represent the remains of a timber structure of some form (approx. 6m x 3m). The post-holes were exposed in plan but not excavated. On completion of the excavation the trench was left open for public viewing as requested by NIEA. A narrow drainage channel (0.3m wide) was cut running from the north-eastern corner of the excavation trench across the tarmac path and into the ‘village field’ to the west. A cobbled surface survived under the tarmac path (3.45m wide east-west) and was left in situ with the pre-cast drain set above it. A short section of cobbling (0.7m x 0.3m) that survived east of the path was relatively shallow; these cobbles were recorded and removed to allow the insertion of the subsurface drainage pipe linking the excavation trench and pre-cast drain.

Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork (CAF), School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast