Newsletter 283

Ring Ditch Digging Season Ends

We're now coming close to finishing this year's work on our site at Aspull - just one more thing to do before we cover it up for winter i.e. lifting Urn No.1. Over the last few weeks, the material from around the outside of it has been carefully excavated. This has taken longer than expected as it contained cremated bone material.

Also the urn itself has revealed to be more fragile than we thought. It also seems to be sat on a layer of small cobbles which is going to complicate its removal. However, it is important we get it out before any frost sets in, so if the weather permits, we're hoping to have it out in the coming week or so.

Work has also continued on our clay lined feature (F4) with the remaining material well on its way to being retrieved. The area around our curved alignment of stones has also been opened up showing some more large stones on the alignment, but sadly not enough to complete the circle. Extending the trench on the northeast side however is continuing to reveal a more intense stony layer, so still much more to understand about this area of the monument.

It was also sad to see Nick the farmer backfilling our outer ring ditch trenches with his big yellow trowel. Though not before we had time to line them with sheeting, to protect them and give guidance for future archaeologists.

When asked, Nick kindly agreed to leave Trench 1 open, as this has the best representation of the ditch section that we can show to future visitors.

Nick has now been able to fence off the central area, allowing us to continue with our excavations whilst being able to return the field to grazing for the horses from the nearby stables.

Before backfilling, we managed to get in a visit from Derek Cartwright and his Horwich Walking Group. This was dozen members who were absolutely fascinated by our excavations. As always if you want to check on our progress, just visit our daily diary blog here.

GM Archaeology Day

As mentioned last month, this event is back and with a great array of speakers. Included this year will be talks on the Castleshaw Roman Fort excavations, Bronze Age burials near Marple, Manchester's Roman Settlement and the Bury Flint Dagger. That's just in the morning - the afternoon session will include an array of excavations on industrial sites around the region. The final talk is Patrick telling everybody about the progress we're making with our Aspull Ring Ditch project. The cost is £10, the date Saturday 29th November and venue as usual is Salford University's Peel Hall.

Christmas Meal and Quiz Night

As usual next month will be our party night held once again at the Royal Oak at the bottom of Standishgate. Also, as usual the day has had to be changed to the first Tuesday i.e. 2nd December. Nearer the time I'll be sending the menu out but, in the meantime, could you please let me know if you are interested in going.

Next Meeting

Wednesday 5th November at the Real Crafty on Upper Dicconson Street, starting at 7.30pm as usual. Our speaker this month is Dr Sam Walsh, the osteologist who we have lined up to do the post-ex analysis on all the cremated bone from our site. In 2016 Sam was involved with the excavation carried out by Dig Ventures of the Bronze Age Barrow, discovered near Morecombe Bay. The following year she was tasked with analysing the cremated bone from the urn they uncovered there. She will be telling us all about what she discovered as well as the dig itself and other projects she's been involved with. Sounds absolutely fascinating, hope to see you there - BA.