|
 Digging
got underway on schedule last month on this joint venture, set up between
the Ellesmere Park Residence Association and the GMAU. As reported in our
previous newsletter, John Rabbitt from the
Association is looking for more evidence of the Roman Road that supposedly
runs from Manchester to Wigan. Iron tap slag nodules, which turned up in
earlier test pits, have also got the experts from the Manchester Unit
excited about the possibility that the site could be Medieval. Steve Bell
from the Unit, who is the site supervisor, has allowed John a free hand to
organise his manpower and all arrangements while he has remained in
overall control (just lending a hand where necessary with the technical
details). This arrangement has worked well and has continued for the brief
period when Ruth Garret, from the unit, took over in Steve's absence. John
has been able to recruit volunteers from a wide range of sources, both
local and from groups and societies through-out the region including
Darwen, Chorley, ourselves, of course, and even as far a way as Lancaster.
As before, John has been keen to encourage local school children to get
involved (they were ‘let loose' on the foundations of the adjacent cottage
and apparently had a great time).
The project has been a resounding
success, but, for John at least, the results have been a little less so.
He has found a ‘metalled' road surface and it even has a ditch on one
side, but the structure is very different to the section found less than
half a mile away at the Three Sisters site. Iron tap slag forms the upper
surface, overlying a layer of larger sandstone blocks, which are severely
angled, keying the slag into a hard, durable structure. The north-south
alignment of the ditch feature is also at odds with the general east-west
alignment of the road from Manchester to Wigan. A theory put forward is
that this could be the branch road leading to Blackrod via the A6, which
was suggested by the antiquarians in the 19th century. Whatever it is, it
is certainly an ancient route. Pottery from the ditch has been
preliminarily dated to the late 14th century. The
 presence of the slag
nodules almost certainly means a smelting operation lies close by, which
is at least 600 years old. Professional involvement has now finished on
the site but work by the volunteers is scheduled to continue for as long
as the developer will allow it.
Roman Road in Ince
In the early 1980's I worked for some years in Higher Ince, in an office
situated
on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool canal just behind Clarrington Forge.
The site of the office was close to where Sibson, in the 19th century,
had described the Roman Road crossing the canal on its route into Wigan.
My assumption at that time was that there would be little chance of the
road surviving under the very extensive housing and industrial development
in the area. However Brian Parr, a local historian, has been studying the
route between here and Amberswood Common and thinks there may be a
few places where it may have avoided destruction. In particular he has
recently noticed a plot of land being redeveloped in Anderton Street
opposite the factory, on the opposite side of the canal to where my office
was. It seems that this plot, as long as anyone can remember, has never
been built on and also nothing is shown on the early maps. This suggests,
therefore, that there may be a chance that the road has survived under the
surface at this point. Tom has been in contact with the developer who
seems amenable and may allows us on to the site for further investigations
before any evidence is destroyed for ever.
Grant Awarded
At last year's AGM we made an agreement to pursue funding, via the
Community Chest, for presentation equipment, which would include a digital
projector and laptop computer. Tom tells me now that our application has
been successful and we have been awarded the full amount of £1250. This is
great news and will enable us to get up to speed with the latest equipment
available. On behalf of the society I would like to thank Tom for all his
efforts.
Next WAS Meeting
Wednesday 1st November at the District Scout HQ (Baden Powell Centre)
in Greenough Street, starting at 7.30 pm as usual. This month we have the
return of Ian Miller from Oxford Archaeology North who will be updating us
on the post excavation work on the Wigan Bathhouse, and also any other
current matters of interest. Hope to see you there. B.A. |
