Ground Survey

Date 1998

Event ID 632129

Category Recording

Type Ground Survey

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/632129

NS 303 385 (centre) A field survey was undertaken of the tip of the Ardeer peninsula outside the limits of the Nobel/ICI explosives factory at the confluence of the River Garnock and River Irvine in advance of a proposed development. This area of 9ha is located in an area of natural estuarine deposits and sand dunes that have been artificially enclosed and infilled with dredge material. A number of groynes present along the shores of both rivers, and the topography of the site, suggests that earlier dredge deposition has taken place, but this is now largely obscured by the late 19th/early 20th-century dredging and land reclamation deposits.

The NE part of the site is dominated by an artificial lagoon with a sluice gate that allowed water to flood the southern part of the site which consists of mud flats and partially submerged dunes. The NW part of the site contains remains associated with the 'Harbourmaster's House' shown on the 1st edition OS map. It appears this building was demolished with explosives. These features are of late 19th/early 20th-century date.

An archaeological watching brief was carried out in October 1998 at the Big Idea development site. Dredge deposits of laminated sands with frequent iron pan lenses were present across the site up to a maximum depth of 2m. The main dredge deposit of black waterlogged and completely saturated laminated silty sand with moderate inclusions of organic matter was on average 1.2m deep.

The sluice gates associated with controlling the water flow from the main lagoon to an ancillary lagoon and part of the main lagoon?s retaining bank has been removed by the development works. No artefacts were recovered.

Sponsors: Building Design Partnership, Nobel Exhibition Trust.

F Baker 1998