2025:428 - Aderavoher, Sligo

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development in Aderavoher townland, on the eastern outskirts of Easky village in County Sligo, was carried out between 7 and 14 February 2025. The proposed development consisted of the construction of 58 houses and 4 apartments. The testing was undertaken as part of the planning process and was necessary due to the size of the site and the scale of the proposed development.

The proposed development site was located across a large field of pasture, formerly three fields, enclosed by dry stone walls. A modern housing development was located adjacent to the north north-west of the site, while the local graveyard and its recent extension were located adjacent to the east north-east of the site. Two large glacial erratics were located in the west south-western half of the site. There was no surface evidence of an enclosure (RMP No. SL011-036), located just outside the south south-eastern site boundary.

The testing consisted of the excavation of thirty-two test trenches, located to best cover the are of the proposed development that was accessible. The trenches measured 89.6m, 60.2m, 60.3m, 49.8m, 30.5m, 20.2m, 89.9m, 30.4m, 30.1m, 29.6m, 30.3m, 30.2m, 60m, 40.4m, 50.2m, 10m, 25m, 59.8m, 20.5m, 89.7m, 90.3m, 30.7m, 25m, 50m, 20m, 29.5m, 40.2m, 61.5m, 18.2m, 18m 18.3m and 18m long respectively; 1.8-2.2m wide and 0.2-0.9m deep.

Apart from a land drain, which crossed one of the test trenches, the testing revealed natural undisturbed stratigraphy, i.e. topsoil above natural subsoils and bedrock. One large blackware sherd (Find No. 25E0046:1) and a number of modern pottery sherds were found in the topsoil and in the spoil.

There was no evidence of the enclosure having extended into the proposed development site with the two test trenches located to investigate whether there was any evidence of the monument revealing natural undisturbed stratigraphy. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.