Archaeologists to probe Mountsandel for first time in 50 years

VR Mesolithic hut from the Mountsandel virtual reality experience

An internationally significant archaeological site in County Londonderry is set to undergo its first major survey in half a century, as experts prepare to dig deeper into the ancient secrets of Mountsandel.

The new investigation at Mountsandel — regarded as one of Ireland’s earliest known human settlements — will form part of a wider heritage project backed through the Causeway Coast and Glens PEACEPLUS Action Plan.

Before fieldwork begins in June, local residents and history enthusiasts are being invited to a special public engagement event in Coleraine later this month, where archaeologists will outline plans for the long-awaited survey and give visitors a chance to step back into prehistoric Ireland.

Public invited to explore Mountsandel’s ancient past

Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services, working in partnership with the Mountsandel Discovery and Heritage Group, will host an information session titled Digging deeper into Mountsandel’s Ancient Past on Monday, May 25.

The event will take place at Coleraine History Hub in the Diamond Centre, Coleraine, running from 2pm until 6pm.

Organisers say the session is designed to give the public insight into the archaeological work planned for early June, while also offering interactive activities for families and younger visitors.

From 2pm, visitors will be able to handle items from Museum Services’ Prehistory collection, including a replica Mesolithic axe and arrow.

The Mountsandel Discovery and Heritage Group will also provide a virtual reality experience allowing attendees to explore a recreated Middle Stone Age landscape using VR technology.

First survey work at Mountsandel in decades

Peter Woodman’s excavation at Mountsandel in the 1970s.

A key part of the event will be a presentation by Professor Graeme Warren from the School of Archaeology at University College Dublin, who is leading the survey project alongside researchers from Ghent University in Belgium.

Professor Warren will speak at 4.30pm, outlining plans for what will be the first archaeological survey work carried out at Mountsandel in around 50 years.

The survey aims to determine how much archaeological material may still survive at the site beyond areas previously excavated by renowned archaeologist Peter Woodman.

Speaking about the planned work, Professor Warren said:

“A programme of archaeological fieldwork is planned to take place at the internationally important Mesolithic site of Mount Sandel, in early June 2026, as a collaboration between University College Dublin and Ghent University, Belgium.

“It is unclear how much Mesolithic archaeology might still survive at Mount Sandel, beyond the areas excavated by Peter Woodman. Our survey work aims to assess the remaining archaeological potential of the site.”

Advanced technology to investigate hidden remains

Professor Warren said the project will combine several modern archaeological techniques in an effort to recover as much information as possible while minimising disruption to the site itself.

“Subject to finalising all permissions and licences, our work will include non-invasive geophysical survey, using four different techniques to best characterise variation in the sub-surface deposits, and minimally invasive bore hole survey: taking small vertical samples through the sediments to directly analyse and record the deposits themselves.

“This work will be carried out in close discussion with Historic Environment Division.

“The international team of researchers leading the proposed fieldwork bring a high level of expertise and innovative methods to maximise the recovery of information from the survey.”

Peter Woodman’s excavation at Mountsandel in the 1970s.

Mountsandel is widely recognised as one of the most important Mesolithic sites in Ireland, with evidence suggesting hunter-gatherer communities lived there thousands of years ago.

The latest work could help researchers better understand how much of that ancient history still survives beneath the surface and what new discoveries may still be possible.

Public engagement sessions planned on site

As part of the project, the public will also have an opportunity to meet archaeologists during an on-site engagement session scheduled for Saturday, June 6 from 10am to 12pm.

Members of the survey team will be available to speak with visitors and discuss the ongoing archaeological work.

The wider Mountsandel project forms part of the Causeway Coast and Glens PEACEPLUS Action Plan initiative, supported through PEACEPLUS — a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

For further information, members of the public can email museums@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk or telephone 028 2766 0230 and ask to speak to a member of the team.