2023:643 - Kilmocholmóg Field, Kilmore Road, Donagreagh, Lurgan - Season 2, Armagh

This was the Second Phase of archaeological excavation at a site known as Kilmocholmóg Field, northwest of the Kilmore Road, Lurgan, County Armagh. The excavation took place between 19 June 2023 and 7 July 2023, was commissioned by the Craigavon Historical Society and was led and supervised by professional archaeologists from Northern Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, with most of the excavation work and recording being carried out by local volunteers and school groups.

As well as aiming to gain a better understanding of the site's nature and use in antiquity, the project was a community engagement initiative that aspired to help the local community become involved with the heritage of their area though an enjoyable ‘hands-on’ archaeological experience. The excavation was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of the Craigavon Historical Society's 'Rediscovering Our Sacred Landscapes' project; with additional support provided by the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council through the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme.

This season of excavation intended to build upon the geophysical survey results and small-scale archaeological investigation of the site undertaken in 2022. The initial archaeological investigation in August 2022 (AE/22/89) uncovered a range of archaeological material. The earliest dated finds on site were sixteen pieces of struck flint that were assigned to the general prehistoric period. Early medieval archaeology at the site was evidenced by the remains of a stone-filled ditch, the recovery of twenty sherds of Souterrain Ware pottery, fifteen pieces of iron slag, a potential collapsed stone bank, and a single subsoil-cut feature.

Based on the results of the August 2022 excavation a larger, more extensive, excavation was undertaken in June – July 2023. This season of investigation consisted of the hand-excavation of nine test trenches targeted on features identified in the August 2022 excavation, further anomalies detected during previous geophysical surveys, and topographically promising locations.

This second season of work uncovered the remains of a possible ditch 2.5m wide and 1.2m deep; burnt animal bone recovered from the charcoal-rich middle fill of this feature was radiocarbon dated to AD 378 to 537 (UBA-51612). This potential ditch may be part of an enclosure demarcating a small settlement, located in the north-western corner of Kilmocholmóg field. Subsoil-cut features uncovered to the north and west could be evidence of structures. Charcoal recovered from one of these features (a potential post-hole) was radiocarbon dated to AD 595 – AD 656 (UBA-51611). Three trenches located to the east of the possible enclosure contained a large spread of stones, previously identified during the first season of excavation; these may be indicative of collapsed field boundaries, low walls, or banks radiating out from the potential enclosure.

Seven hundred and fifty-two artefacts were recovered during the excavation. Some of these indicate that localised metalworking was being undertaken at the site. This was evidenced by copious amounts of iron slag and, most significantly, an ingot mould. Other artefacts recovered include a large assemble of Souterrain Ware pottery, a hone stone, a blue glass bead fragment and a small piece of a lignite/shale bracelet, all typical of the early medieval period.

Prehistoric activity at the site was evidenced by the recovery of a lithic assemblage that contained three convex end scrapers, one thumbnail scraper, and a broken and partially reworked polished stone axe. In addition, the recovery of flint chips, flakes, and shatter suggest that knapping and production of tools was taking place in the immediate vicinity of the excavation area. Specialist analysis suggests that the lithic assemblage dates to the Neolithic/Bronze Age.

At this stage it is impossible to determine if the early medieval activity uncovered at the site is of a secular or ecclesiastical nature. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the results of this excavation will inform another season of works at Kilmocholmóg.

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