County: Derry Site name: Killyneese 4
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/15/33
Author: Fintan Walsh
Site type: Late Neolithic pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 691811m, N 891742m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.765267, -6.573331
Killyneese 4 was one of 11 sites excavated as part of the advanced works for the A31 Magherafelt Bypass. The excavation followed on from trial trenching and initial work for strip/map sample excavation (Area O) undertaken by Fintan Walsh under licence AE/14/232. A geophysical survey (undertaken by Earthsound Geophysics under licence AE/14/113) highlighted a large linear anomaly, a curving anomaly and an isolated area of possible disturbed ground.
Excavation identified numerous archaeological features across this area, in particular within the central area where there was a concentration of charcoal-rich pits and gullies, some of which contained prehistoric pottery (some of which appears to be of late Neolithic date). Other artefacts of note included stone axe fragments and a possible stone anvil. Post-excavation analysis had yet to begin at the time of writing.
Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 23-31 Waring Street, Belfast
