January 5th 2025.
As the renovation work on a country house estate known as Castle Ward in Co Down was underway, a team of unsuspecting archaeologists stumbled upon a remarkable discovery. While digging in an area covered in thick vegetation, they were astonished to uncover the remains of 300-year-old buildings. This came as a complete surprise, as there was no record or knowledge of any historical remnants on the property owned by the National Trust.
The initial plan for the area was to install a new drainage system, and the team had selected this particular spot because they believed it held no historical significance. However, as the digging began, they were taken aback to find red bricks buried beneath the soil. This prompted them to carefully peel back the layers of soil, revealing a collection of buildings dating back to the 1600s.
The hidden buildings consisted of a central, cobbled courtyard surrounded by several tiled structures. Among the remarkable finds were household essentials such as a sink, fireplace, cellar, and drains. The archaeologists deduced that these buildings were most likely destroyed when the new mansion was constructed in the 1760s, as it would have obstructed the picturesque views of Strangford Lough.
Further excavation work revealed that these structures were domestic and farm-related dwellings, believed to have been built in the late 1600s or early 1700s. The discovery of butchered animal bones, pottery, glass bottles, and ceramics provided valuable insights into the daily lives of those who once lived on the estate.
One of the most exciting finds was a tiny ceramic pot that was fully intact. The Historic Environment Division of Stormont's Department for Communities was particularly thrilled by this discovery. Michael Fearon, from Northern Archaeological Consultancy, was on site monitoring the drainage system construction when the team made the unexpected discovery.
"It was during clearance works that bricks were discovered," said Fearon. "What seemed like a few bricks at first kept expanding as we investigated further with the machine. It was a big surprise, to say the least."
The team is currently undertaking careful excavation work to uncover more information about these hidden buildings and their inhabitants. This unexpected discovery has shed new light on the rich history of Castle Ward, and the archaeologists are eager to uncover more secrets that may be buried beneath the soil.
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