2020:324 - Sliabh Girkin Heights, Carrickcroppan, Armagh

Following the most recent phase of archaeological works on site, carried out between 30 November and 16 December 2020, the existing spoil tip of topsoil was removed from the vicinity of the rath ARM026:033. A c. 0.5m thick layer of residual topsoil has been left in situ to further protect the rath and potential associated archaeological deposits.
A buffer zone around the northern extent of the rath, demarcated by a curving line of fence posts, on which barbed wire will be strung and along which a native thorn hedge will be planted, to protect the area of the rath.
The area to the north of the rath, which was also under the spoil tip, is remaining undeveloped and will be green space, planted with grass and shallow rooted shrubs.
The 5m strip along the northern edge of this new green space was stripped following the 2008 ADS Ltd works (AE/08/86). This area was re-stripped and investigated as part of the 2020 works. Nothing of archaeological interest was noted here and this area will be partially cut away to form a gentler slope to the rear of the proposed house plots. It is proposed that this new slope will be recovered in topsoil and re-planted, by way of stabilizing the surface.
Finally the area to the north of ADS test trenches 07, 08 and 09 was re-investigated as areas of blackened soils was noted on the exposed surface. These features proved to be the product of ground disturbance following tree removal and agricultural land drainage.

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