2013:158 - A5, Western Transport Corridor Northern Ireland, Section 3 – South of Omagh to Ballygawley, Tyrone

Archaeological evaluation (Phase 1) was carried out along Section 3 of the route of the A5 Western Transport Corridor through Co. Tyrone. Following an environmental impact statement on the proposed route (Mouchel 2012), geophysical survey of the route was undertaken (Durham 2012). The results of this geophysical survey subsequently formed the basis of an evaluation strategy which involved trial trenching selected areas of high archaeological potential. The trial trench layout was designed by project managers Mouchel in consultation with the Historic Monuments Unit of the Northern Ireland Environment agency (NIEA).

The evaluation included both linear trial trenches and strip and map of pre-defined areas. Each group of trial trenches (TT) and each strip and map area (SMA) were assigned individual numbers which on Section 3 ranged from TT053-TT116 and from SMA015-SMA025.

In total 11180.5m of trial trench was excavated and 29682.5m² of strip and map was carried out on Section 3. Eleven areas of archaeological significance were identified. Some of these can be grouped due to proximity, giving a total of seven archaeological sites. The nature of these sites, as far as can be determined prior to further investigation, has been outlined below.

It is recommended that full excavation be undertaken at each of these sites prior to any construction work.

Prior to the suspension of work on the scheme, some Phase 2 work consisting of archaeological excavation was undertaken. This was carried out between 4 March and the 26 April 2013 and involved excavation of six sites (Feddan/Dromcorke A-D, Tullanafoile A, Gort/Errigle A, Moylough A and B, Legacurry A and Killadroy A). The other identified site at Tycanny A, which contained a burnt spread, was preserved in situ.

At Gort/Errigle A it was not possible to backfill the excavated area and deal with archaeological features which appeared to be running beneath the spoil heaps. So a small amount of archaeological material also remains preserved in situ on this site.

Feddan/Dromcorke A contained a prehistoric settlement; Feddan/Dromcorke B a prehistoric ring ditch, cremation and scattered pits and post-holes; Feddan/Dromcorke C a charcoal-filled pit; and at Feddan/Dromcorke D a lime kiln. Possible cereal-drying kilns were identified at Tullanafoile A and Killadroy A. Gort/Errigle consisted of a multi-period prehistoric settlement and burnt mounds. Moylough A and Legacurry A contained a burnt mound; and Moylough B a burnt mound and pits.

References
Durham 2012, Section 3 A5 Western Transport Corridor Northern Ireland geophysical survey.
Mouchel 2012 http://www.a5wtc.com/Environmental_Statement.aspx, Chapter 9.