EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Antrim
‘Brokerstown’ (Ballymacoss td.), Co. Antrim
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure Complex.
Grid Ref: J23556509 (32355/36509)
SMR No: ANT 068:007
Excavation Licence: AE/06/202; AE/07/082; AE/07/194
Excavation Duration/Year: 2006; 2007.
Site Director: C. Dunlop (Northern Archaeological Consultancy).
A possible enclosure had been identified by aerial photography in 1962 which necessitated
archaeological monitoring of top-soil stripping prior to the construction of a housing
development. A number of archaeological features were discovered during this process. The
most significant consisted of a circular enclosure (35m in diameter) with an adjoining annex
(25m by 16m), and associated field boundaries (Fig. 16).
The main enclosure was defined by a ditch (4m wide, and a maximum of 1.8m deep); no
trace of a bank remained (Fig. 17). The remains of a rectangular house were found within
this enclosure. The east and west walls of this structure were defined by two parallel linear
slot-trenches (6.5m long); and the southern wall had two linear slot-trenches (2.5m long)
with an intervening gap. A large, stone-filled posthole on the internal end of these slottrenches
indicated the presence of substantial door posts. Four other large postholes,
arranged in a square in the centre of the house, were used to support the roof. A hearth was
located in the centre of the house, and this was surrounded by a series of stakeholes, which
have been interpreted as a possible draft screen or temporary internal division. Another
rectangular structure (3m by 4m) was located on the west side of this house. No connecting
entranceway with the larger structure was identified, and it was suggested that this structure
may have been entered through an external door. A drainage gully running through the
smaller structure has led to the interpretation that this may have acted as an animal house.
The smaller enclosure was defined by a ditch (maximum dimensions of 2m wide and 1m
deep). The main feature identified from this enclosure was a curvilinear ditch which enclosed
an area 10m in diameter. It is possible that this represents the drip-gully of a destroyed
roundhouse. Several large pits of unknown function were also discovered in this enclosure.
Quantities of iron slag found in the ditch of this annex suggest that this enclosure may have
had an industrial function.
A putative third enclosure existed to the north of the annex. This was partially defined by a
ditch (1m wide and 0.6m deep), and has been interpreted as having been unfinished. The
decorated souterrain ware recovered from this ditch suggests that it was a later addition to
the complex.
Several early medieval field boundaries were identified around this enclosure, the longest of
which ran for 120m; and two unenclosed early medieval houses, defined by a series of
postholes (5m x 5m), were discovered outside the enclosure complex.
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