2012:126 - Ballykelly, Derry

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by CAF at the proposed development site. The evaluation consisted of the supervision of three mechanically-excavated test trenches. The trenches averaged 15m in length by 2m in width and were excavated to the subsoil which consisted of reddish orange sandy clay.

Trench One measured 15m by 2m, was aligned approximately east-west and was excavated to the surface of the subsoil. The sod and topsoil layer consisted of mid to dark brown silty clay loam which contained occasional sub-rounded stones (average size: 20mm x 20mm x 10mm). The layer was around 0.2m thick. Below this was a compact, mid to dark brown, sandy loam cultivation soil (which was 0.1m thick. The cultivation soil contained frequent sub-rounded stones (average size: 40mm x 30mm x 20mm).

The cultivation soil directly overlay the natural subsoil, a reddish orange sandy clay with frequent inclusions of small rounded and sub-angular stones as well as larger angular stones, encountered at an average depth of 0.3m. Two features were observed cutting the natural subsoil. A small rounded pit measuring 0.48m east-west by 0.32m by 0.28m deep was encountered approximately 3.5m from the western edge of the trench. The fill of this feature produced abundant fragments of burnt bone and charcoal, although no artefacts were recovered. The burnt bone as been provisionally identified as animal (Emily Murray, pers. comm.) The age or function of this feature is unclear. However, the lack of in situ burning or scorching would suggest that this is a deposition of burnt material rather than representing evidence for a hearth. Approximately 2.5m to the east of this pit a linear feature was encountered.

The linear feature was on average 1m in width and spanned the width of the trench. The feature was roughly aligned south-west/north-east and was filled by a mid-brown sandy loam. This deposit contained frequent inclusions of small angular stones and gravel, as well as infrequent charcoal flecks. Excavation of a thin cutting across the linear feature produced two sherds of glazed pottery of probable 17th-century date (provisionally identified by Prof. Audrey Horning, QUB). The profile of this feature would suggest that it represents a possible field boundary of post-medieval date. No other finds or features were encountered during the excavation of this trench.

Trench Two was positioned approximately 3m to the north of Trench One and was aligned east-west. The trench was 18m long and 2m wide, and was excavated to the surface of the subsoil.

The sod and topsoil layer consisted of mid to dark brown silty clay loam. The layer contained occasional sub-rounded stones. The layer was around 0.2m thick. Below this was a compact, mid to dark brown, sandy loam cultivation soil which was 0.15m thick. The cultivation soil contained frequent sub-rounded stones.

The cultivation soil in Trench Two directly overlay the natural subsoil. It was an orangey yellow gravely clay with frequent small rounded and sub-angular stones as well as larger angular stones, and was encountered at an average depth of 0.35m. A continuation of the linear feature encountered in Trench One was observed in this trench. A cutting into the fill of the feature produced a single sherd of glazed pottery of late medieval/17th-century date (Audrey Horning, pers. comm.) No other finds or features of an archaeological nature were encountered during the excavation of this trench.

Trench Three was positioned approximately 2m to the north of, and parallel to, Trench Two and measured 20m in length by 2m in width. The trench was excavated to the surface of the natural subsoil.

The sod and topsoil layer consisted of mid brown, silty clay loam. The layer contained occasional sub-rounded stones and was approximately 0.1m thick. Below the sod and topsoil was a compact, mid to dark brown sandy loam cultivation soil which was 0.2m thick. The cultivation soil contained frequent sub-rounded stones.

The cultivation soil in Trench Three directly overlay the natural subsoil. The subsoil was a reddish orange sandy clay with occasional small rounded and sub-angular stones as well as larger angular stones, and was encountered at an average depth of 0.3m. Nothing of archaeological significance was encountered in this trench.

The three evaluative test trenches excavated in the application area showed features of a potential archaeological nature are present. Given the proximity of the development site to the Plantation Period settlement (LDY009-019), as well as the sherds of 17th-century pottery recovered from the linear feature encountered in Trenches One and Two, it is likely that this activity relates to peripheral agricultural activity on the fringes of this settlement.

Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork, School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University Belfast, BT7 1NN