| Thursday
last week Ian Miller invited the public to view the current workings behind the
Ship Hotel (Yates’ Wine Lodge), connected with the Wigan’s town centre
development. He could not have timed it better, for just the previous evening the
archaeologist had discovered a Roman ditch running through the site, complete with Roman
pottery and even timber. This is most exciting as this site was only expected to produce
late medieval material. The ditch is well defined in the classical ‘V’ shape
which, most interestingly, suggests a military origin. Although not used for defensive
purposes, its form is typical of the type used to mark out the ‘vicus’ (or small
settlement) which grew up alongside the fort. If it is true then this could be the most
positive evidence yet that Wigan was in deed Coccium, the Roman fort mentioned in the 3rd
century Antonine Itinerary. |
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The pottery found is quite unusual, with a swirling grooved
pattern and has been provisionally dated to the late 1st century AD, a period when the
Romans were on military campaign in the north of the country. But most exciting of all is
the Roman timber, including thin worked planks from which the archaeologists will be able
to obtain an accurate date using Carbon 14 techniques. It is most unusual to find timber
surviving from the Roman period as damp conditions are usual needed. The archaeologists
are certainly working in damp conditions at the moment and must be commended for their
efforts despite the rain and snow. The site is also revealing Medieval pottery from a variety of
features including some dating to the 14th century. The whole site has survived the
ravages of the Victorian era, lying under a layer of shingles that formed the base of a cobbled
yard. Ian tells me that he has another week or so on this site before he moves onto the
area on the other side of Penningtons furniture shop, where Roman material was also
discovered in the evaluation phase. Ian is also hopeful for a building just behind the
Ship Hotel, which has not been cellared and may provide more evidence of Roman Wigan, but
pressure from the developers may prevent further exploration in this area. |  |
Archaeology Forum
Lancaster University is holding its 32nd Annual Forum in the Faraday Lecture Theatre
this Saturday (5th March). The conference will be chaired by Dr David Shotter and will
include talks on a variety of subjects including: Chester’s Amphitheatre; Heronbridge
Project; Medieval Carlisle; The Ancient Port of Meols; The Roman Cemetery at Brougham;
Celts in the North West and Lost Gardens of the Lake District. If you are interested the
cost for the day is £19 but bookings must be made in advance. Please see me at the
meeting for a booking form or you can book on-line at www.lancs.ac.uk/users/cnwrs . |  |
Infinite Wave
Dave Horrocks, a Wigan lad now living in Canada, has generously offered to run our
website for us. Based in Calgary, Dave runs several computer-based businesses including
Audio mastering and DVD authoring (www.infinitewave.ca). He has expressed great interest
in the activities of our society and wants to get involved in anyway he can (including
maybe revamping the site). This is great news for the society and we look forward to see
what he can do (our website is perhaps due for an update anyway).
Next Meeting
Wednesday 2nd March at the Baden Powell Centre (Scout HQ) in Greenough Street, starting
at 7.30 pm as usual. This month the speaker is Nick Herepath, who is the
Finds Liaison Officer for the North West (www.finds.org.uk
). He will be bringing us up to
date on the recent developments from the National Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Hope to see you there. B.A.
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