2016:293 - Upper Hightown Road (Ballyvaston), Newtownabbey, Antrim

Excavation took place at Upper Hightown Road, Newtownabbey in February 2016. Six test trenches were monitored with three of these containing archaeological material. Upon widening out, four areas of archaeological interest were identified with a further area identified when the site was full topsoil stripped for the development.

AREA 1: This area was located towards the north-east boundary of the site. It included three post-holes, 11 pits, 12 stake-holes, and a small spread. It also included four modern agricultural features which showed signs of cross ploughing with the marks set at right angles to each other. This area was a small Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age camp site with some peripheral activity, although the radiocarbon dates overlap it is likely that this area had two phases of activity.

The first phase included a post-hole C155, F157, 2857 – 2565 cal BC. It is likely that this was associated with post-holes C145 and C162 to form a fence line or wall. The second phase included a semi-circular stake-hole structure which consisted of 11 stake-holes, one of which was dated (C177 F178), 2623 – 2473 cal BC. These stake-holes appeared to curve around a tree bole although there was no evidence that this was contemporary.

AREA 2: This area was located towards the north-west boundary of the site in between Areas 1 and 3. Originally this area was thought to contain 11 pits and a hearth but on further investigation most of the 'pits' were shown to be large stone holes associated with a modern agricultural feature (C127). All of the stone holes contained loose topsoil and no artefacts.

To the south-east of the agricultural feature was a hearth, a pit, a post-hole and a small spread. Although no radiocarbon dates were obtained for this small area the pottery and flint  found date this area to the Late Neolithic - Early Bronze Age.

AREA 3: This area was located halfway along the north-east site boundary. It included two post-holes, 13 stake-holes, 13 pits, a hearth and three spreads. One of the pits contained a large amount of Early Neolithic pottery.

This area also contained four modern agricultural features which showed signs of cross ploughing as they were set at right angles to each other. The features were organised into two main areas with some pits in between.

Located in the north-east area was a semi-circle of six stake-holes. One of these was radiocarbon dated (C53 F54, 2666 – 2476 cal BC); this example was very similar in shape and date to the one found in Area 1.

The second area contained a possible Early Neolithic structure which consisted of two post-holes and an area of trample. To the west was a hearth and two pits. To the north was a pit (C94) which contained a large amount of Early Neolithic pottery; this pottery was very similar to the pottery recovered from pit C116 in Area 5 which was radiocarbon dated to the Early Neolithic period (3650 – 3522 cal BC).

Overlying the Early Neolithic structure was a Late Neolithic possible stake-built structure which consisted of two parallel lines of stake-holes; this was accompanied by four pits, one of which (C73) contained Grooved Ware pottery. One of the stake-holes was dated (C83 F84, 2880 – 2632 cal BC); although this has an overlap of 34 years it is likely that this area pre-dates the other stake-built structure to the north.

Finally the Early Neolithic structure was also cut by a pit (C92) which contained both Early Neolithic pottery and a piece of a Bronze Age urn. Given that this pit cut C94 which contained a lot of Lyle's Hill ware it is likely that the early pottery was washed in.

AREA 4: This area was located towards the north-west boundary of the site, situated away from the rest of the activity in Areas 1, 2, 3 and 5. This area contained two Early Neolithic pits which may be associated with activity taking place in Area 3 to the south-east.

The area also contained a small Late Neolithic structure which included three post-holes, seven pits and a hearth. One of the post-holes (C14) and two of the pits (C18 and C20) contained Grooved Ware pottery. One of the post-holes C14 F15 was radiocarbon dated to 2860 – 2568 cal BC.

AREA 5: This area was located towards the north-west boundary of the site to the south of the other areas discussed above. This was a small Early Neolithic working site, it contained a fence line or wind break which consisted of six stake-holes; within this was a large charcoal spread which contained flint and pottery. To the north-east of the stake-holes was a pit (C116) and a spread (F109), these two features contained a large amount of Early Neolithic pottery which was ritually deposited. The pit (C116) was dated to 3650 – 3522 cal BC.

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