2012:166 - CARNEYHOUGH, Down

Testing, having been commissioned by Turkington Construction on behalf of their clients, Tesco Ltd, was undertaken by ADS Ltd. The subject of the testing was a proposed retail development at Downshire Road, Newry. It was originally proposed to investigate 13 test trenches across two areas on the site. Seven trenches were to be investigated in Area 1, a level, low-lying area dominating the northern and western sides of the site, while six trenches were planned in Area 2, the summit of a drumlin in the south-east. However, the conditions encountered on site resulted in only seven trenches being investigated, six in Area 2, and one in Area 1. A further five proposed trenches were investigated by a series of test pits. The change in methodology was due to the depth of 20th-century fill which was uncovered in Area 1 making it impossible to safely investigate the trenches fully. One of the proposed trenches in Area 1 could not be investigated due to the location of the site compound.

The proposed development is located within an archaeologically sensitive landscape with 14 recorded sites within a 1.5km radius. Additionally the site is located at the boundary of the medieval settlement of Newry (DOW046-042).

The testing was conducted over a two-day period from 30 April–1 May 2012. Area 1 comprised of the low-lying portion the site where a series of warehouses had stood. The entire area was covered by either tarmac or the concrete floor surfaces of these warehouses. This concrete and tarmac overburden was broken up by rock hammer along the length of the proposed trenches. However when the trenches in this area were investigated it was discovered that there was dumped fill material at least 3m thick across almost the entire area. This meant that it was impossible to investigate the trenches as initially proposed and instead, a series of test pits were excavated. These revealed the fill to be at least 3m thick with subsoil not being uncovered. This fill comprised of re-deposited subsoil, dumped refuse and demolition rubble of 20th-century date.
Area 2 was located in the south-east corner on the summit of a small drumlin. Prior to testing, this area was grass covered. A late 19th/early 20th-century dwelling had been demolished and the rubble removed. Six trenches were investigated in this area. Other than disturbance related to the dwelling and post-medieval field boundaries, no archaeological deposits were uncovered.

Archaeological Development Services, 96 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE