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Sligo’s Neolithic tombs are being vandalised ‘on scale never seen before’

Five-thousand-year-old Neolithic tombs in Co Sligo are suffering damage and vandalism “on a scale never seen before” and will not survive unless action is taken immediately, archaeological experts have warned.

There are 75 passage tombs in Co Sligo, almost one-third of the estimated 240 in the State, according to the Sligo Neolithic Landscapes Group, which is pressing for the county’s Neolithic heritage to be deemed a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/sligo-s-neolithic-tombs-are-being-vandalised-on-scale-never-seen-before-1.4310914

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Huge ringed fort is thought to date back 4,500 years to Neolithic times

Archeologists are probing a Neolithic henge in the middle of Aghagallon which they believe dates back more than 4,500 years. It the reason why Aghagallon has its name and now the Standing Stone is to be given its proper place in history.

Aghagallon, translated from Gaelic means Field of the Standing Stone, and it was just a few years ago that its true significance was uncovered when they discovered the giant ringed site.

For many years it was unclear where this standing stone might be, however when the local community association made plans to extend its building on the Aghalee Road, it was discovered that they were right beside the standing stone.

The ringed site which is in the townland of Derrynaseer was designated as a scheduled historic monument in 2003.

It is formed by a large earthen bank which encloses a domed area some 180m in diameter and is clearly visible on Google Earth.
read on.....

lurganmail.co.uk/news/local-news/huge-ringed-fort-is-thought-to-date-back-4-500-years-to-neolithic-times-and-is-one-of-only-eight-left-in-northern-ireland-1-6601818

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Ballymaglaff Stone Age site 'lost because of planning error'

DoE probes claims of unsuitable dig prior to developers moving in

BY LINDA STEWART – 03 JUNE 2014

Planners have launched a probe following claims that a rare site where early humans settled has been badly damaged without carrying out proper archaeological investigation.

The Department of the Environment (DoE) said its planning department has launched an enforcement investigation to establish if a breach of planning control had taken place at Ballymaglaff in Dundonald in relation to archaeological matters.

Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) also sent staff to inspect the site after concerns were raised about the road access to a new housing development close to the Comber Greenway.

Local historian Peter Carr, who discovered the archaeological site in 1984, says it dates from the era of the first human settlement of Ireland, the early Mesolithic period 8,800-9,800 years ago, and more than 2,000 pieces of struck flint have been found there.

“Over 20 of the period’s rare and highly distinctive microliths have been discovered here. Very few sites can claim over 10,” he said. “The larger part of the site was destroyed in January during the building of an access road to a new housing development.

“Although the site is on the Department of the Environment’s Sites and Monuments record, as a result of an administrative oversight no protective archaeological clause was attached to the planning permission.

“Archaeologists tested the area before construction work began, but the ‘trial excavation’ used the wrong archaeological methods and as a result nothing was found.

“The archaeological layer, which contained early Mesolithic flints and possibly other material, was left in spoil heaps near the road. These have not been protected and soil from the heaps has subsequently been redistributed.”

However, DoE planners said they had placed archaeological conditions on the planning permission.

“The most recent planning permission was granted November 20, 2013 for housing and an access road. When assessing the application, DoE Planning consulted with the NIEA, who recommended conditions requesting a written scheme and programme of archaeological work to be prepared by a qualified archaeologist for approval by the department,” a spokesman said.

“These conditions were placed on the planning approval. The applicant carried out a test evaluation of lands near the road. This was conducted under licence from NIEA. No archaeological material was identified during this evaluation.

“A meeting will take place next week with the department and the developer to discuss options.”

Peter Woodman, Ireland’s foremost expert on the early Mesolithic period, said few sites on the island have produced such numbers of microliths, which are pieces of blade that would have been inserted into wood or bone to create composite tools. He said: “You excavate for information. Bits and pieces of stone tools are one part of that, but there are other equally important things.”

Excavation at Ballymaglaff could have yielded evidence of huts, post holes and fireplaces to help build a picture of how early humans lived in Ireland, he said.

“The destruction of a site about which so little is known is always a great tragedy,” he said.

A spokesperson for Lagan Homes, which is developing the site, said: “Lagan Homes complied fully with – and exceeded – the archaeological conditions attached to these works. The company strongly refutes any suggestion that it did not comply with planning conditions.”

Mr Carr insisted Ballymaglaff could still yield valuable information. “If the department gets its act together, material could still be salvaged from what remains of the heaps,” he said.

belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/ballymaglaff-stone-age-site-lost-because-of-planning-error-30322927.html

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'No-go zone' imposed around Enniskillen crannog

The environment minister has imposed a “no-go zone” around a historical site which was found during the construction of a new road in County Fermanagh.

Ancient human remains and pottery were unearthed at the site in Enniskillen.

Archaeologists are currently excavating the crannog – a kind of artificial island – and have said that it could date back more than 1,000 years.

The minister, Alex Attwood, has banned construction traffic from passing close to the crannog during excavation work.

The new road will eventually be built on top of the crannog, and the Institute for Archaeologists (IfA) has raised concerns about “the apparently imminent destruction” of the historical site.

‘Precious‘

A period of seven weeks was allocated for archaeologists to examine and record the crannog before the construction goes ahead, but the IfA has warned this may be inadequate.

Mr Attwood visited the area on Monday and described it as “a wonderful site, full of our history and precious archaeology”.

He said: “I have requested a report by Wednesday on what further time, staff and resources are needed to fully excavate the crannog.

“As one of the very few to be excavated, I wish to deploy appropriate resources to fully excavate and record this gem of archaeology”.

The Roads Service said it was not aware of the existence of the crannog before construction work began.

A spokesman told the BBC they would have attempted to build around, rather than through the site, had they known in advance. They are picking up the bill for the excavation.

Mr Attwood said he would “appoint an independent person or persons to review the full story of this site, including how the current situation developed”.

He added: “If the crannog cannot now be saved, I will work to have a maximum excavation and record strategy going forward.”

‘Bronze Age‘

The crannog was originally thought to be 700 years old, but fragments of pottery found at the site date from as far back as the ninth century.

Other finds include arrowheads dating from the Bronze Age, a leather shoe which was preserved in the earth and a fine-toothed comb made from bone.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19053339

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