County: Antrim Site name: Phase 2, Hartley Hall, West Division, Greenisland
Sites and Monuments Record No.: ANT 052:048 Licence number: AE/13/134E
Author: Chris Long, Gahan & Long Ltd
Site type: Bronze Age house, pits, post-holes, gullies
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 737175m, N 884698m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.691696, -5.872175
An archaeological evaluation was conducted ahead of planning application submission for Phase 2 of a residential development at Hartley Hall, Greenisland. The site ANT 052:048 is located towards the north-western end of the development site. It is recorded in the SMR as a platform rath and possible souterrain.
The site was evaluated for archaeological features and was also tested to establish the extent of rath ANT 052:048 in the north of the site. A series of 24 test trenches were excavated across the proposed development site, which was spread over 4 fields. All test trenches were excavated with a machine fitted with a toothless bucket.
A number of archaeological features were uncovered during the testing regime. The majority of the archaeology was contained within the north-west of the site which was sited on drier, firmer ground. These included a Bronze Age house with associated features and drainage ditches, 10 pits, 2 post-holes and 6 gullies and a spread. All of these features were fully excavated. A total of 16 sherds of pottery were uncovered, found within two features. These features consisted of the wall slot of the Bronze Age house and a pit located within the house area. The pottery discovered was all Middle Bronze Age, c. 1500 to 1200 cal. BC.
Only 2 archaeological features were identified in the south-east of the site, both which resulted from burning episodes.
Rath ANT 052:048 will be preserved in situ as green space.
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