2014:584 - GREYABBEY: Lands adjacent to 84 Newtownards Road, Down

An archaeological evaluation was carried out prior to the proposed construction of a dwelling on lands adjacent to 84 Newtownards Road, Greyabbey. The proposed development site is located in proximity to DOW 011:022, which is identified as a Mesolithic occupation site.

The evaluation consisted of a field-walking exercise across the area of the development, followed by the excavation of a series of test trenches. Prior to conducting the field walking, the field containing the development was ploughed. Weather conditions prior to and during the field walking were particularly wet, resulting in good exposure of inclusions within the topsoil. The field walking identified a relatively high amount of flint within the topsoil, however closer examination of this material in the field found it to be naturally-shaped. No flint material displaying any characteristics of deliberate working was identified as a result of the field-walking exercise.

The excavation of three test trenches was conducted using a back-acting machine fitted with a toothless bucket. In all trenches topsoil consisted of a loose clay loam with frequent stone inclusions and was removed to a maximum depth of 0.4m. This gave way to naturally occurring subsoil which consisted of an orange glacial till. No archaeological deposits were identified within any of the trenches.

No evidence of any archaeological deposits was identified during the course of the evaluation.