County: Antrim Site name: Curran & Drumaliss (Curran Point)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/14/76E
Author: Martin McGonigle
Site type: Mesolithic occupation
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 741269m, N 901496m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.841372, -5.800558
Testing was undertaken from 3-6 June 2014 at Curran Point in the townland of Curran & Drumaliss, Larne Co. Antrim. A geophysical survey, undertaken on the site in May 2014 (Licence No. AE/14/72/E) had identified a number of linear and sub-square anomalies. Nine 2m-wide test trenches, totalling 434m² were excavated by a 360° track machine to target potential geophysical anomalies and to evaluate the site as a whole. The geophysical anomalies proved to be remnants from a 20th-century power station.
A number of flint artefacts dating to the Mesolithic period were recovered from the test trenches. These artefacts included blades, flakes (butt-trimmed/Bann flakes), points, scrapers, miscellaneous pieces and single-platform cores. A majority of the flints were heavily patinated and some were water rolled, particularly the larger pieces. These finds are consistent with those found by Movius in 1935 and with late Mesolithic artefacts generally found in this area (see Movius et al 1953; Woodman 1974).
References:
Movius, H.L. (1953) “Archaeological Research in Northern Ireland: An historical account of the investigations at Larne”, in Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 16, 1953 pp. 7-23
Woodman, P. C. (1974) The Chronological Position of the Latest Phases of the Larnian. PRIA, Vol 74, C, No. 7. pp. 237- 258.
John Cronin & Associates, 28 Upper Main St, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
