Habitation site in Ballysaxhills

A programme of archaeological assessment and investigation was undertaken at the site of a proposed extension to a sand and gravel quarry. Archaeological test excavation (Johnston S.P. 2000, 1-11: Excavation Licence No. 00E0619) of a subcircular (20m by 25m) geophysical anomaly revealed several sherds of prehistoric pottery, and a short, steep-sided trench which contained a flint thumbnail scraper and a single substantial, rectangular post-hole from which sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered. Several small post- and stake-holes were identified in the vicinity but did not form any clearly identifiable structure. Areas of limited burning were identified across the site, but nothing that could be interpreted as representing a hearth. Finds included a fine chert leaf-shaped arrowhead, an unfinished flint projectile point, eight flint thumbnail scrapers and a single-edged flint knife or scraper. In addition, some 40 apparent waste pieces of flint and chert were identified. All of these lithics were recovered from layers apparently disturbed by earlier land improvement works. Also recovered from these disturbed layers were a number of small, extremely fragile pottery sherds with a range of forms and fabrics, all but one of apparent prehistoric date: the exception was a heavily abraded glazed sherd apparently of medieval date, located within an area of deep plough furrows. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 13 December 2012