Medieval house found

Children from St Joseph's PS, Dunloy, Cloughmills PS, St Brigid's PS, Cloughmills and Knocknahollet PS pictured with Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, Paul Logue, Senior Archaeologist, Department of Environment (left) and Colin Hutchinson, Department for Regional Development at an archaeological dig on the £65 million A26 Frosses Road scheme. As part of the dig an early medieval (approximately 600-1200AD) souterrain consisting of a number of underground passages was uncovered.

Pic: Stephen Hamilton, Press Eye — Children from St Joseph's PS, Dunloy, Cloughmills PS, St Brigid's PS, Cloughmills and Knocknahollet PS pictured with Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, Paul Logue, Senior Archaeologist, Department of Environment (left) and Colin Hutchinson, Department for Regional Development at an archaeological dig on the £65 million A26 Frosses Road scheme. As part of the dig an early medieval (approximately 600-1200AD) souterrain consisting of a number of underground passages was uncovered. Pic: Stephen Hamilton, Press Eye

The early medieval souterrain, which dates to around 600-1200AD, is a substantial archaeological feature consisting of a number of underground passages which would have been used by local people to hide from raiding parties on the search for potential slaves.

Speaking after visiting the site to examine the finds, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: “The archaeological investigation works completed on the A26 dualling have been a significant success. Advanced site clearance works have allowed the Department to carry out archaeological investigations along the scheme prior to contract award.

It is anticipated that construction of the dual carriageway will begin in the later part of this year.