2012:583 - Desertcreat, Tyrone

EXCAVATION DESCRIPTION
The proposed development relates to the construction of a multi-disciplinary college campus at Desertcreat, just to the south of Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. The development involves large-scale groundworks as well as landscaping, planting, services and infrastructure. The site is located in an archaeologically sensitive area with 20 recorded archaeological sites within a 2km radius. Additionally, Tullaghoge Fort (TYR038-014) is located to the north-east, just outside of the 2km search radius. Two of the recorded sites within the 2km search radius are located within the boundaries of the proposed development. These are the site of a battle (TYR038-045) and the site of an enclosure (TYR038-032).
Phase 1 of the archaeological works involves a programme of testing in one part of the site. This testing would also allow for the efficiency of geophysical survey in identifying sub-surface archaeological remains within the proposed development and enable NIEA to decide how best to proceed with the archaeological requirement for the overall development, and to design a suitable mitigation strategy.
Testing was conducted over a 5-day period, beginning 18 January 2012. A total of 23 test trenches were excavated across the area selected for testing to determine the veracity of an earlier geophysical survey which had identified several potential archaeological features, including a possible large D-shaped enclosure. There was also an enclosure recorded as being within the testing area in the Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record (TYR038-032). The testing also allowed for this monument to be investigated although no trace of such an enclosure was uncovered within the test trenches. Archaeological deposits, comprising of a curving slot trench, along with a fulacht fiadh and small pits were uncovered within the trenches, as were numerous agricultural features. The testing also revealed that there had been extensive modifications to the survey area with large portions having re-deposited subsoil dumped along the slopes of the prominent ridge on the site as well as into several hollow areas. This re-deposited subsoil was recorded to be upwards of 2m in depth in places. The testing showed that many of the responses recorded by geophysical survey, including the large D-shaped enclosure, were a result of variations within the natural geology.
None of the identified archaeological deposits were excavated during the testing and a decision on how best to proceed with the archaeological mitigation for the proposed development will be made by NIEA sometime in early 2012 (see below No. 584).

Archaeological Development Services Ltd, 96 University St, Belfast, BT7 1HE.