2013:610 - Barbican Gate Wall, Town Parks, Antrim, Antrim

An archaeological evaluation was carried out prior to the proposed demolition of a section of the Antrim Barbican Gate bastion wall due to structural failure, and the insertion of a retaining wall, followed by the reconstruction of the historic fabric. The proposed development site consists of the bastion wall for Antrim, which is a scheduled monument (ANT 050:183).
Monitoring of ground reduction was conducted by a back-actor fitted with a toothless bucket. Prior to the archaeologist’s arrival on site, shrubs and vegetation within the area of excavation were removed. As the ground level was reduced with the back-actor, work commenced on the demolition of the Barbican wall. This uncovered several layers layers of potential archaeological interest. In consultation with the NIEA case officer, it was decided that these layers would be tested through the hand excavation of 3 test trenches to determine if it was modern deposition or archaeological material. The test trenches were designated as box sections A, B and C. The confined space of the area of excavation and the simultaneous demolition of the wall by the stone masons dictated the location of these box sections.
The monitoring of the ground reduction associated with this work and the subsequent archaeological investigation uncovered a slice through the history of Antrim.
Archaeological deposits and features were discovered that were associated with the Early Christian period (400-1100AD), the medieval (12th-13th century) and Plantation (17th-century) era town and the incorporation of the site within the demesne of Antrim Castle (17th-20th century).

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