EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Londonderry
Magheramenagh, Co. Londonderry
Early Medieval Unenclosed House and Souterrain.
Grid Ref: C86103890 (28610/43890)
SMR No: LDY 003:023 (N/A?)
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: 1999.
Site Directors: A. Reilly (Northern Archaeological Consultancy)
The site was discovered during development work on a gently sloping field outside Portrush,
Co. Antrim. The development occurred in the general area of an un-located souterrain
recorded in the NISMR, and it is likely that the souterrain uncovered during this excavation
represents that feature. Topsoil stripping of the site revealed two structures – a circular
building (8m in diameter); and a rectangular building (8m by 5m) – within five metres of
each other. Both of these structures were interpreted as being of Neolithic date, largely
based on the cultural material recovered. This was dominated by coarse pottery and crudelystruck
flint. Later radiocarbon dating, however, showed that the roundhouse was of Bronze
Age date, and the rectangular house was early medieval (see below). A second rectangular
house (8m by 6m) was identified built on the remains of the Bronze Age roundhouse. The
chronology of this house was not established, and it may potentially be contemporary with
the early medieval rectangular house. This structure appears to have been associated with
quantities of burnt material, and it is suggested that it may have burnt down. The date from
charcoal taken from the central fire-pit within the early medieval rectangular house suggests
that this feature was contemporary with the occupation of the house, and presumably
represents a domestic hearth. Two stakeholes on the edge of the pit may have been used to
support a fire-crane or spit. A curving gully to the west of the main site has been interpreted
as either a defensive palisade trench, or merely a windbreak. Again, the chronology of this
feature and its relationship with the Bronze Age or early medieval occupation was not
established.
The souterrain was discovered on a knoll in the northern part of the field. Most of the sides
had dry-stone walling, but in the south end of the entrance area and the east end of the
main passage the walls were rock-cut. The nature of debris within the souterrain suggests
that it may have been deliberately destroyed by the removal of the upper stonework.
Souterrain ware was found in the souterrain, as well as fragments of a bone comb, and iron
slag. No certain trace of a surface structure associated with the souterrain was found at
Magheramenagh, but the presence of a rock-cut step at the western end hints that there may
have been one in that area.
(No plans were available for this site)
Radiocarbon Dates:
(PJ Reimer, MGL Baillie, E Bard, A Bayliss, JW Beck, C Bertrand, PG Blackwell, CE Buck, G Burr, KB Cutler, PE
Damon, RL Edwards, RG Fairbanks, M Friedrich, TP Guilderson, KA Hughen, B Kromer, FG McCormac, S Manning, C
Bronk Ramsey, RW Reimer, S Remmele, JR Southon, M Stuiver, S Talamo, FW Taylor, J van der Plicht, and CE
Weyhenmeyer (2004), Radiocarbon 46:1029-1058).
Sample No.
Context
14 C Date Cal. 2 Σ
Beta 186550 Charcoal from house 1160±40 BP A.D. 775-979
Beta 186551 Wall slot 1280±40 BP A.D. 658-783;
A.D. 787-824;
A.D. 841-861.
Reference:
A. Reilly. 1999:130. Magheramenagh. http://www.excavations.ie.
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