County: Down Site name: Drumneth
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/22/042
Author: András Hindli
Site type: Potential early medieval structure
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 716351m, N 848344m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.370442, -6.209354
Advanced archaeological testing was undertaken within the townland of Drumneth, County Down in 2021 (A1 Junctions scheme). One of the trenches was found to contain features of archaeological significance (pit-like/post-hole features). In early April 2022, a larger area was opened at the same location with the intention of recording by excavation said features and other potential features that might have been revealed during the topsoil stripping. The archaeological stripping revealed an oval-shaped structure (10 x 8.2m) consisting of slot trench and other potential structural features such as post-holes and a hearth. A section was excavated through the slot trench in order to quantify and assess the nature of the site, revealing a considerable amount of possible souterrain ware pottery within.
The identification of a larger, unforeseen archaeological site has meant that the excavation works have temporarily ceased until a decision regarding the excavation and recording of the site can be agreed. On the 21st of April, the site was temporarily preserved in situ to protect the archaeological features until such decision is agreed. The archaeological features were covered by geo-textile and topsoil was carefully reinstated to original levels from a safe distance by a mechanical excavator, under the supervision of the licensee.
Burnside, St. Oran's road, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
