2019:814 - Baronsgrange, Comber Road, Carryduff - Phase 4, Down

This is the fourth phase of archaeological mitigation to be carried out at this development.

Archaeological mitigation identified six areas of archaeological interest:

Area 4: This area was located along the eastern boundary of the site. The remains of a rock-cut barrow 0.53-0.87m wide and 0.24m deep, enclosing an area 3.25m diameter with a central pit containing a crushed vessel with burnt bone, were uncovered. Initial identification of the vessel suggests that it is a Neolithic bowl. Four other pits were excavated, one of which was adjacent to the barrow and also rock-cut.

Area 5: This area was located along the northern boundary of the site. The remains of two concentric curvilinear gullies, 23m long and 0.75m wide and 0.2m deep and 9.9m long, 0.6m wide and 0.15m deep were excavated. A third gully was excavated in the south-west corner of this area; this was 7.5m long, 0.45–1.2m wide and 0.26m deep. Thirty-seven other pits and post-holes were excavated in this area. Flint recovered from several features in this area suggests a prehistoric date.

Area 6: Three post-medieval agricultural features were uncovered. Two shallow ditches on a north to south alignment formed a field boundary, whilst a 0.5m wide and 0.9m deep gully on a north-east to south-west alignment running for over 34m appeared to be the result of modern agricultural activity.

Area 7: This area was located close the western boundary of the development. Two pits were excavated one of which contained struck flint. A large field boundary recorded on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1858 (Down Sheet 9) was also present.

Area 8: This area was located close to the western boundary of the development and south of Area 7. Two shallow ditches similar to those uncovered in Area 6 were excavated.

Area 10: This area was located south-east of Area 7. Three pits were excavated, one of which contained frequent amounts of charcoal.

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