2022:199 - Robbers Lane, Magheraboy, Sligo, Sligo

Nothing of archaeological interest was uncovered either in the geophysical survey (21R0263) or the archaeological test trenching (22E0083) at this site.
The geophysics uncovered a number of anomalies evidence for which was uncovered in the testing. The ‘Modern anomalies’ which were recorded, particularly along the northern boundary of the surveyed area, can be explained by the presence of an extensive marl deposit running from east to west, along the low-lying margins of the site. In addition there was evidence in the form of a series of manhole covers of a pipeline (water/sewage) running parallel to the northern boundary.
The linear features noted as ‘Trends’ and ‘Cultivation’ on the geophysics were uncovered particularly clearly at the southern ends of Trenches 2, 5 and 9 and it is reasonable to interpret these as the remains of plough furrows.
Evidence for the two broad east-west running linear features (A and A1 on the geophysics) was also uncovered. The more northerly of the two, A1, appears to be natural in origin, marking the junction between the soft marl deposit to the north and the compact glacial till to the south. Evidence for this junction was most clearly noted in Trench 2, but also in Trenches 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The other east-west running linear feature, A, was not as clearly defined. Its location would appear to coincide with the east-west running field boundary noted on the 1830s OS map and on the 1900s OS map. The broad shallow feature best preserved running east-west across the line Trench 8 may be interpreted as evidence for this feature and the fact that 19th- and 20th-century pottery sherds as well as red brick fragments were found within supports this conclusion.

AHC Ltd 36 Ballywillwill Road, Castlewellan, Co. Down BT31 9LF