This project aims to research, explore and where possible provide public access to sites of local heritage interest for which little or no public information is available. In addition, the local community will have an opportunity to volunteer and learn new heritage skills through the delivery of these activities.
There are three key activities:
- Archaeologists from Queen’s University Belfast will deliver a community archaeology event to explore WWI training trenches within the Ministry of Defence Estate at Magilligan Point. The work will enable an accurate interpretation of the physical remains within the camp to be undertaken, with the local community working alongside professional archaeologists to increase understanding of life of the soldiers and the training regime at Magilligan during WWI.
- A community archaeology event at upland site of archaeological interest for in the Binevenagh area.
- Conservation, training and volunteering activities at various sites in the project area.
Excavation of WW1 Training Trenches
In Autumn 2021, archaeologists from the Centre for Community Archaeology at Queen’s University led a 4 week community archaeological dig in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence. The archaeologists were helped by a team of 13 volunteers and 171 school students from the local area.
The excavation investigated three features commonly found on WW1 battlefields: a communication trench, a crenallated fire trench dating to 1915-16; and a possible section of frontline trench. Within the trenches, the remains of sandbag revetting and sandbag breastwork were found which provided the trenches with force protection and structural support. Very few WW1 related artefacts were found, however a ‘Silent’ screw picket was found. This type of picket was used within trench warfare to construct barbwire defences. Possible XPM wire revetment (chicken wire) commonly used to support sandbag revetting within trenches was also uncovered. The excavated features provided important evidence of the past training at Magilligan have resulted in a fuller understanding of the relict trench systems. It has proven that the earthworks are indeed WW1 practice trenches and were designed to provide new recruits with training in the practice of spadework and entrenchment. The results of the dig will inform the ongoing management of the historic elements of the military estate’s historic landscape.
Coastal Erosion Monitoring at Magilligan
Magilligan Foreland, Co. Londonderry, located along the eastern side of Lough Foyle, is a significant and dynamic coastal landform. With funding from the Historic Environment Fund Research Stream, CCGHT is working with volunteers to record and monitor archaeological sites along the Lough Foyle shoreline of Magilligan that are at risk from coastal erosion. CCGHT received funding from the Historic environment Fund Research Stream to fund the project. Additional costs were funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
In 2023 and 2024, volunteers participated in walks along Magilligan Strand that led to the discovery of additional archaeological sites. These newly identified sites were added to the Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record. Funding has enabled us to form a dedicated volunteer group that will continue to monitor the coastline seasonally, recording new sites and updating records for existing sites.
We cannot protect and preserve all these sites, but by recording and monitoring them on a regular basis we can pinpoint their locations and extents, note the nature of their contained materials (e.g. shells, stone, charcoal, bone and metal slag) and highlight those worthy of further detailed research before they are ultimately destroyed.