The Aspull ring ditch as a crop mark, and in the resistivity plot
I'm indebted to Steven Twigg, formally of STAG, for this one. He pointed the crop mark out to us (amongst others) two years ago but it is only now we've been able to get around to investigating it on the ground. The crop mark which showed up quite clearly on aerial maps (particularly ESRI) seemed to reveal a circular ditch around 40m in diameter. We are refraining from giving the exact location at moment for security reasons but it isn't in an isolated spot so we feel confident it will be safe from unwarranted attention. Having done the necessary planning and gaining the essential permissions, we ventured out last Monday to see if a resistivity survey could pick it up. After a wet start (never trust BBC weather forecasts) we managed to do two scans covering an area 50m x 46m. As you can see, the result confirms the existence of a buried feature but what it is has yet to be determined. Despite its large size, it's likely to be a Bronze Age barrow. Neolithic burial mounds tend not have ditches around them, although there is a possibility that it could be a henge monument but they generally come with a bank on the outside. Whatever it is, it's very exciting and fortunately for us the landowner is excited too and therefore quite willing to let us proceed with further investigations.
Burscough Update
Not available in Online Edition
Wigan Archives
Alex Miller has contacted me to say the new Archives facilities at Leigh Town Hall are now open. This is after a refurbishment costing £1.3m funded by a grant from the National Lottery. Alex has also invited us on tour which would include their new research facilities as well as exhibitions spaces and behind the scenes activities. I suggest one Saturday later this month - please let me know if you are interested.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 6th October - in our new venue, the Real Crafty on Upper Dicconson Street (7.30pm as usual). This month once again we have one of our own i.e. Graham Hanley who will be giving us a virtual tour of the excavations of the port of Ostia. This was the harbour city of ancient Rome. Lying 15 miles to the southwest on the mouth of the River Tiber, it once was vital for the supply of all the foodstuffs for Rome. The excavations carried out there included its insulae, temples, baths and civic centre. Sounds like a fascinating tour.
