Burial ground in Ballinderry

In 2004, archaeological monitoring (Halpin B. Excavation Licence No. 04E1638) of groundworks in advance of a proposed sand/gravel quarry resulted in the discovery and partial excavation of a previously unknown burial ground. A curving ditch (Wth 3.3m; max D 1.9m) was found to enclose a penannular area (diam. c. 70m N-S; c. 40m E-W), unenclosed between NE and S. Two fragments of pottery from the upper fill of the ditch were identified as Dublin type ware and local cooking ware of 12th-14th century date. The enclosed area contained some 216 skeletons, the majority of which have been left in situ. The burials comprised adults, juveniles and neonates and were generally aligned E-W and interred in very shallow grave cuts. No evidence of coffins or grave goods was found. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 January 2013