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

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Antrim<br />

‘Brokerstown’ (Ballymacoss td.), Co. Antrim<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure Complex.<br />

Grid Ref: J23556509 (32355/36509)<br />

SMR No: ANT 068:007<br />

Excavation Licence: AE/06/202; AE/07/082; AE/07/194<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: 2006; 2007.<br />

Site Director: C. Dunlop (Northern Archaeological Consultancy).<br />

A possible enclosure had been identified by aerial photography in 1962 which necessitated<br />

archaeological monitoring <strong>of</strong> top-soil stripping prior to the construction <strong>of</strong> a housing<br />

development. A number <strong>of</strong> archaeological features were discovered during this process. <strong>The</strong><br />

most significant consisted <strong>of</strong> a circular enclosure (35m in diameter) with an adjoining annex<br />

(25m by 16m), and associated field boundaries (Fig. 18).<br />

<strong>The</strong> main enclosure was defined by a ditch (4m wide, and a maximum <strong>of</strong> 1.8m deep); no<br />

trace <strong>of</strong> a bank remained (Fig. 19). <strong>The</strong> remains <strong>of</strong> a rectangular house were found within<br />

this enclosure. <strong>The</strong> east and west walls <strong>of</strong> this structure were defined by two parallel linear<br />

slot-trenches (6.5m long); and the southern wall had two linear slot-trenches (2.5m long)<br />

with an intervening gap. A large, stone-filled posthole on the internal end <strong>of</strong> these slottrenches<br />

indicated the presence <strong>of</strong> substantial door posts. Four other large postholes,<br />

arranged in a square in the centre <strong>of</strong> the house, were used to support the ro<strong>of</strong>. A hearth was<br />

located in the centre <strong>of</strong> the house, and this was surrounded by a series <strong>of</strong> stakeholes, which<br />

have been interpreted as a possible draft screen or temporary internal division. Another<br />

rectangular structure (3m by 4m) was located on the west side <strong>of</strong> this house. No connecting<br />

entranceway with the larger structure was identified, and it was suggested that this structure<br />

may have been entered through an external door. A drainage gully running through the<br />

smaller structure has led to the interpretation that this may have acted as an animal house.<br />

<strong>The</strong> smaller enclosure was defined by a ditch (maximum dimensions <strong>of</strong> 2m wide and 1m<br />

deep). <strong>The</strong> main feature identified from this enclosure was a curvilinear ditch which enclosed<br />

an area 10m in diameter. It is possible that this represents the drip-gully <strong>of</strong> a destroyed<br />

roundhouse. Several large pits <strong>of</strong> unknown function were also discovered in this enclosure.<br />

Quantities <strong>of</strong> iron slag found in the ditch <strong>of</strong> this annex suggest that this enclosure may have<br />

had an industrial function.<br />

A putative third enclosure existed to the north <strong>of</strong> the annex. This was partially defined by a<br />

ditch (1m wide and 0.6m deep), and has been interpreted as having been unfinished. <strong>The</strong><br />

decorated souterrain ware recovered from this ditch suggests that it was a later addition to<br />

the complex.<br />

Several early medieval field boundaries were identified around this enclosure, the longest <strong>of</strong><br />

which ran for 120m; and two unenclosed early medieval houses, defined by a series <strong>of</strong><br />

postholes (5m x 5m), were discovered outside the enclosure complex.<br />

34

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