2017:830 - GAS TO THE WEST TESTING—Tyrone 1, Tyrone

A systematic archaeological testing programme was undertaken in the townlands of Trew, Grange, Mullybrannon, Mullaghdaly, Killymoyle, Killymaddy, Eskragh, Dergenagh, Skey, Drumaslaghy and Lisnabunny, County Tyrone, between 17 July and 24 October 2017. Archaeological material was uncovered at sites in the townlands of Grange, Killymaddy, Drumaslaghy and Lisnabunny:

Field 25.02 (Grange)
The remains of a burnt mound (three small spreads of burnt stone and charcoal) were uncovered in Trench 4 at the edge of a field drain (canalised natural stream). Trench 4 was extended at two locations to assess the extent of the feature. A struck flint was discovered while cleaning the burnt spread.

Field 46.05 (Eskragh)
A large flint artefact was found in the fill of a field boundary in the extension of Trench 3. It was likely ploughed down the hill and re-deposited in the modern field boundary. It is likely that any potential associated archaeology is located on the high ridge immediately north-west of the proposed 30m corridor that was tested.

Field 58.21 (Drumslaghy)
Three possible pits with charcoal-rich fills were identified. Investigation did not produce diagnostic material. These features were located in Trench 4, the one closest to the adjacent field (Field 58.22), where more extensive archaeology was uncovered.

Field 58.22 (Drumslaghy)
A penannular ring-ditch measuring approximately 5m in diameter, and associated pits and a curvilinear feature were identified on the ridge within this field. Cremated bone was identified within the fill of the ring-ditch and the curvilinear feature. A small number of lithic artefacts were found in the topsoil from the trenches. A section excavated through the ring-ditch showed that it measures approximately 1m in width, 0.3m in depth and contains three distinct fills, all containing charcoal and cremated bone.

Field 59.04 (Lisnabunny)
A possible iron bloomery smelting site was identified in Trench 1, evidenced by a large spread of iron slag, charcoal and oxidised soil. Trench 1 was extended to note the potential extent of the archaeology. It is clear that the spread extends over a relatively large area. There were no identifiable cut features and nothing to provide a diagnostic date was recovered from the investigation.

The archaeology identified during testing was subject to further archaeological works during later phases of the Gas to the West project.