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AR01055_EMAP_Gazetteer_of_Sites_4-2_10.pdf - The Heritage ...

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Antrim<br />

Ballyaghagan, Co. Antrim<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.<br />

Grid Ref: J32337844 (33233/37844)<br />

SMR No. ANT 056:054<br />

Excavation Licence: N/A<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: May 1948; June 1950.<br />

Site Director: E. E. Evans (Queen's University Belfast); V. B. Proudfoot (Queen's<br />

University Belfast).<br />

A souterrain was uncovered during construction <strong>of</strong> a housing estate. <strong>The</strong> souterrain was<br />

located within the much truncated vestiges <strong>of</strong> an enclosure, the surviving ditch portion <strong>of</strong><br />

which had been re-cut as a retting pond for flax (Fig. 6). <strong>The</strong> souterrain consisted <strong>of</strong> three<br />

chambers linked by short passages. <strong>The</strong>re was little cultural material recovered from this<br />

excavation. Sherds <strong>of</strong> souterrain ware were discovered in the souterrain and the lowest<br />

occupation layer on the enclosure; and two pieces <strong>of</strong> worked bones (possibly spearheads?)<br />

were discovered in the souterrain.<br />

A supplemental excavation was undertaken two years after Evan’s earlier investigation.<br />

Thousands <strong>of</strong> sherds <strong>of</strong> souterrain ware were recovered from the primary occupation layer,<br />

as well as a bronze ring-pin, two iron knives, and a fragment <strong>of</strong> a jet/lignite bracelet. A<br />

bronze buckle was found in the interface between this occupation layer and an upper clay<br />

deposit. Bones from domestic animals were also recovered: 85% cattle; 14% pig; 1%<br />

sheep/goats. <strong>The</strong> skeleton <strong>of</strong> an adult human male was also discovered in the course <strong>of</strong> this<br />

excavation. It was found in association with souterrain ware, but was not necessarily<br />

synchronous with the pottery.<br />

Fig. 6: Plan <strong>of</strong> enclosure at Ballyaghagan, Co. Antrim (after Proudfoot 1958, 19).<br />

References:<br />

Evans, E.E. 1950. A enclosure and souterrain at Shaneen Park, Belfast, townland <strong>of</strong><br />

Ballyaghagan, Co. Antrim, Ulster Journal <strong>of</strong> Archaeology (Third Series) (13), 6–27.<br />

Proudfoot, V.B. 1958. Further excavations at Shaneen Park, Belfast, Ballyaghagan townland,<br />

Co. Antrim, Ulster Journal <strong>of</strong> Archaeology (Third Series) (21), 18–38.<br />

13

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