County: Derry Site name: Killyneese 1
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/15/31
Author: James McKee
Site type: Post-medieval pottery kiln, prehistoric pottery spread and features
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 691787m, N 892163m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.769053, -6.573570
Killyneese 1 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 undertaken by Fintan Walsh under licence AE/14/232. The site was uncovered during Strip/Map sample excavation at Area Q. A geophysical survey, undertaken by Earthsound Geophysics under licence AE/14/113, highlighted a semi-circular magnetic trend, an area of possible disturbed ground and linear anomalies. The circular trend was interpreted as a possible ringfort, though this was found to be geological in nature. Two main concentrations of archaeology were, however, encountered in this area: a large charcoal-rich pit close to the eastern boundary and a post-medieval kiln at the southern boundary. In addition, scattered pits were identified across the entire area. Area Q was extended to the south to fully expose the kiln and associated features at this end of the site. Area Q was subsequently excavated as Cutting 1, Killyneese 1 in conjunction with archaeological features identified in extensions around Trenches 254 (Cutting 2; ITM 691746,892276), 258 (Cutting 3; ITM 691716,892339) and 249 (Cutting 4; ITM 691744,892080).
Cutting 1
This Cutting contained 31 features of archaeological significance including the remains of a large post-medieval kiln and associated drying area, a post-medieval field boundary and a spread of material containing a significant amount of artefacts. The remaining features consisted of pits of varying size. Artefacts recovered from the kiln included 1147 fragments of post-medieval pottery, three ceramic waste pieces, 56 pieces of kiln furniture, four glaze-covered stones, metalworking slag and two nails.
A second feature, interpreted as a drying area for the post-medieval pottery, contained 1291 sherds of post-medieval pottery, 28 waste pieces, 311 fragments of kiln furniture and 23 glaze-covered stones. A large pit located to the west of the site produced 639 sherds of prehistoric pottery and 74 pieces of flint.
Cutting 2
During testing two possible archaeological features were uncovered. Both features were resolved as non-archaeological in nature.
Cutting 3
Six possible archaeological features were identified during advanced testing. Following investigation, only one feature was determined to have archaeological potential, a small oval pit with a single fill.
Cutting 4
Cutting 4 was a small area located to the south-west of Cutting 1. It contained eight archaeological features which included small pits and possible post-holes. Flint artefacts were recovered from two of these features.
At the time of writing, post-excavation analysis had yet to begin.
Irish Archaeological Consultancy, 23-31 Waring St, Belfast, BT1 2DX
