2012:161 - Ballystockart, Down

A programme of archaeological excavation was carried out at Ballystockart Quarry, Comber, Newtownards, Co. Down during February and March of 2012. Excavation followed on from testing, which was carried out in 2011 by Jonathan Barkley (Northern Archaeological Consultancy) (Excavations 2011, No. 151, AE/11/115). A series of test trenches were excavated using a 35-ton mechanical excavator. Two areas of archaeological potential were uncovered, Area 1 which lay on the high point of the site in the north-western corner of the middle field, and Area 2, which lay in the north-eastern field. Area 2 was later split into two separate areas as there was a large area between features at the north and south of the site which contained no archaeological features. A total area of approximately 2210m² was opened around the three areas in order to facilitate excavation.

Area A consisted of the foundation trenches of three circular early medieval structures with associated pits and post-holes and a post-medieval ditch. A total of 73 sherds and fragments of early medieval Souterrain Ware pottery were recovered from the foundation trenches of the circular structures. A piece of hazel charcoal from one of the foundation trenches was sent for C14 dating. This returned a 2σ calibrated date of AD 600-669, dating the structure firmly to the early medieval period. A piece of willow charcoal from one of the pits to the south of the habitation area was also sent for C14 dating. The fill of this pit also yielded a number of sherds of early medieval Souterrain Ware. The charcoal returned a 2σ calibrated date of AD 670-861.

Area B consisted of a segmented ditch enclosing an area 33m east-south-east/west-north-west by 24m). The ditch only survived in parts and there was a 15m gap at the north and a 17m gap at the south-east. An entrance was identified at the south-west of the enclosure. Post-holes were identified at the entrance while clusters of pits, post- and stake-holes were excavated at the centre and the east of the enclosure. A red glass bead was found within the fills of the segmented ditch, along with a sherd of Souterrain Ware pottery and a possible hammerstone. Early medieval Souterrain Ware was also retrieved from features at the centre of the enclosure. An Avena Sativa grain retrieved from the fill of the ditch was sent for C14 dating. This returned a 2σ calibrated date of AD 695-887, suggesting that the enclosure may be slightly later in date that the habitation in Area A. Hazel charcoal from a feature at the centre of the enclosure was also dated. A 2σ calibrated date of AD 689-884 was returned, suggesting that the internal features and ditch were contemporary with one another.

Area C consisted of a single cremation pit. The fill of the pit contained many inclusions of charcoal and burnt bone. A burnt fragment of cranial bone was sent for C14 dating. This returned a 2σ calibrated date of 1872-1616 BC, dating the feature to the Early to Middle Bronze Age.

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow