2016:821 - Lungs 2, Tyrone

Archaeological testing took place as part of the route assessment for a gas pipeline project in Northern Ireland in July 2016. This licence pertained to testing conducted in the townland of Lungs (Site 2), c.3km south-west of Clogher, Co. Tyrone over the course of three days, 26-28 July, in varied weather conditions. A total of ten trenches, each an average of 30m in length, were machine excavated with a grading bucket.
Possible archaeological features were identified in 2 trenches (TR9 & 10).

Trench 9
This trench was situated in a naturally sheltered location high on the south edge of a ridge and nestled in a depression south of the crest of a gentle drumlin. The area commands good views to the west, south and east with views to the north and north-east obscured by the drumlin crest.
Five features of possible archaeological significance were encountered in Trench 9 centred on a linear arc of charcoal-rich reddish grey clayey silt (C.5).
C.5: This linear arc of charcoal-rich reddish grey clayey silt extended from the western limit of excavation within the trench and spanned 7m as it curved to the north before reaching the western limit of excavation within the trench at the northern side. The width of this feature varied in plan between 0.11m and 0.23m.
C.6: This context represents the cut of C.5 which was revealed in profile upon excavation of a test slot to investigate C.5. C.6 comprised a linear cut with a vertical outer edge and a sloping and stepped inner edge, sloping to a pointed base. This cut was 0.19m deep at the eastern side where excavated and possibly represents a slot-trench for the insertion of timber uprights.
When the area was cleaned back by hand, four adjacent features of possible archaeological significance within Trench 9 were noted as follows:
C.7: A mid-grey stony and silty sub-circular deposit extending from the eastern limit of excavation within the trench to the north of C.5. This looked similar to further deposits C.8 and C.10 which were situated to the immediate south-east of C.5. This deposit measured 1.34m north-south x 0.8m in plan and was not tested for depth.
C.8: A mid-grey stony and silty sub-circular deposit extending from the eastern limit of excavation within the trench to the immediate south-east of C.5. This looked similar in colour and composition to deposits C.7 and C.10. This deposit measured 1.12m north-south x 1.2m and was not tested for depth.
C.9: A dark greyish-brown linear deposit with moderate charcoal flecking particularly to the north part. This deposit extended to the south from the visible edge of C.5 and tapered to a point at the north-west edge of C.10. This deposit measured 2.75m north-south with a maximum width of 0.09m. It was not tested for depth.
C.10: A mid grey stony and silty sub-circular deposit extending from the eastern limit of excavation within the trench for 0.92m and measuring 1.55m north-south. This deposit was not tested for depth.
These features were not tested for nature and extent during this phase of the project due to time and manpower limitations on-site.

Trench 10
Two features of possible archaeological significance were noted in Trench 10 as excavated.
C.3 comprised a greyish-brown linear band running obliquely (north-west/south-east) across the eastern half of the trench. This measured 0.38m wide and continued for 5m within the trench. A slot was excavated to determine the possible nature and extent of this feature and it was shown to be 0.07m deep where excavated. No cut was evident and the fill comprised a clayey silt identical to the topsoil.
There were no inclusions or other evidence to support the initial identification as being of possible archaeological significance. This feature may represent a relict field boundary as indicated on the Lidar image for this area.
C.4 comprised a small sub-circular deposit of reddish-brown scorched and baked clay. It measured 0.65m in diameter and when half-sectioned was shown to be 0.04m deep. There were no visible inclusions of charcoal nor was anything further encountered to suggest a function or date for this episode of burning.

All features were excavated as part of a subsequent programme of works in 2017.