2016:754 - 6-8 Ballycrummy Road, Armagh, Armagh

An archaeological evaluation was carried out ahead of the proposed construction of a residential development on lands at 6-8 Ballycrummy Road, Armagh. Three test trenches were excavated across the site using a back acting machine fitted with a toothless bucket and under strict archaeological supervision. Trench 1 extended roughly northeast-southwest for approximately 18m. A single layer of topsoil was removed from the trench. This ranged in depth from 0.3-0.4m and directly overlay subsoil which consisted of a compact, orange glacial till. Trench 2 was located perpendicular to trench 1 extended downslope for approximately 40m. A single layer of topsoil was removed from the trench. This ranged in depth from 0.3m at the top of the slope to 0.5m at the base. The topsoil material contained frequent inclusions of modern building debris including concrete, plastic and piping. It directly overlay subsoil which consisted of a compact, orange glacial till. Trench 3 was to the immediate northeast of trench 2 followed the line of the existing property boundary. Again a single layer of topsoil was removed from the trench. This ranged in depth from 0.2m at the top of the slope to 0.5m at the base. The topsoil material contained frequent inclusions of modern building debris including concrete, plastic sheeting and cabling. Modern services were identified cut in to the subsoil. The topsoil directly overlay subsoil which consisted of a compact, orange glacial till. No archaeological deposits were identified during the course of the evaluation and it was clear that the site had been heavily disturbed in the recent past.

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