2018:145 - 115 – 123 Main Street, Dungiven, Derry

An archaeological evaluation was carried out prior to the proposed demolition of existing buildings and construction of a residential development at 115-123 Main Street, Dungiven.
Prior to the evaluation being conducted, an inspection of the wall fabric of the frontal area of the former buildings took place. This identified a similar picture to the fabric survey conducted for the preparation of the programme of works. The exposed areas show that the buildings are constructed from a mixture of stone and red brick. The brick appears to be relatively late in type, probably from the later 19th century.
Six test trenches were excavated using a back-acting machine fitted with a toothless bucket across the proposed development site.
Topsoil was found to extend to a depth of 0.15-0.3m across the site and was removed directly onto an orange sandy subsoil material with occasional patches of silt and sand. The ephemeral remains of the probable garden property boundaries as shown on the 1st edition OS maps were identified. A test section was excavated across the most complete example and it was found to be 0.1m deep and had a width of 0.5m. Modern glass and pottery was recovered from the fill.
No further archaeological deposits were identified during the course of the evaluation.

7-9 Castlereagh Street, Belfast BT5 4NE