County: Derry Site name: Gortagherty Upper (19A Backhill Road, Eglinton)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/16/171
Author: Christopher J. Farrimond, FarrimondMacManus Ltd (Derry)
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 651076m, N 918888m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 55.014932, -7.201415
Monitoring of primary ground reduction works (topsoil stripping) was undertaken on 19 October 2016, having been commissioned by Mr. Ryan Boggs of Gorthill Energy Limited, at the site of proposed development at 19A Backhill Road, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry.
The site has undergone extensive ground disturbance associated with its use as an agricultural farm complex in the relatively recent past. The surface of much of the area of proposed invasive groundworks appeared to comprise an imported layer of crushed stone/coal with several bedrock outcrops noted throughout the area. On-site discussions with the Site Owner/Applicant confirmed that this area was stripped of topsoil and the area levelled as part of farm improvement works undertaken approximately 20 years ago to create a storage area for agricultural vehicles, plant and materials.
Within the south-west portion of the site (i.e. the area of improved agricultural arable land) the removal of topsoil revealed undisturbed glacial subsoil, comprising mid-orange/brown clay with occasional patches of bedrock, at a depth of 0.15–0.35m.
In the low-lying south-east corner, removal of the stockpiled topsoil and subsequent removal of topsoil throughout the area confirmed that this area of the site appears to have been significantly impacted upon by previous works. Prior to the commencement of topsoil stripping exposed bedrock was visible in several places and the depth of topsoil throughout this portion of the site was approximately 0.1–0.15m. Excavation of a test pit to assess the underlying subsoil confirmed that the underlying glacial subsoil overlay bedrock to a depth of c.0.2m.
The remainder of the site (i.e. the central and northern portion) comprises a substantial area of hardstanding associated with the farmyard to its immediate north-west. Removal of the layer of crushed stone/coal which formed the surface of this area revealed bedrock throughout the area.
No archaeological features, remains or deposits were identified within the boundaries of the PDA during the archaeological monitoring of site clearance/topsoil stripping works at the site.
150 Elmvale, Culmore, Derry BT48 8SL.
