2016:810 - Seagoe Cemetery, Portadown - Seagoe Lower, Armagh

An archaeological evaluation in the form of pre-development test trenching was carried out in response to a request for additional information under Planning Policy PPS6 BH3 by Department of Communities: Historic Environment Division in relation to a planning application for proposed development adjacent to Seagoe Cemetery, Portadown. A desk-based study has confirmed that the proposed development is located within an area of archaeological potential with the site of an early medieval church and graveyard (ARM010:008) situated 100m to the south-west while the modern Craigavon Council graveyard bounds the proposed development along its west side. As there remains some uncertainty as to whether the graveyard extended into the area of the proposed development, a series of test trenches were excavated within the development area. While no archaeological features or graves were uncovered during the course of the evaluation, a single disarticulated femur was recovered from modern overburden deposits. This finding was reported to PSNI and reported to DfC:HED upon confirmation that it likely represented modern intrusion from the nearby graveyard. As no archaeological features were identified during the course of the evaluation it is recommended that no further archaeological works are required in relation to the proposed development.

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