A brick hypocaust flue in the Millgate trenchA stone-flagged floor emerging from the demolition rubble at Millgate
A huge Roman building complex is being unearthed in Wigan in the area around Millgate and there is substantial evidence of a hypocaust. This is really exciting news, as it may well prove the existence of a fort in Wigan in the Roman period. Hypocausts were the Roman equivalent of modern central heating systems, with under-floor heating and box flues in the walls. They are usually associated with bathhouses, which are found mostly in connection with Roman forts. This is just speculation at the moment, but David Shotter of Lancaster University has visited the site and is happy with this interpretation. Alternatively it could be a large house or Mansio, which was the Roman equivalent of a hotel. Now that the multi-storey car park at the bottom of Millgate has been demolished, it is obvious this would have been the ideal spot for a substantial building with clear views across the Douglas looking both east and south.
Surveying the hypocaust building from the spoil heap
All that is left of the complex are back-filled foundation trenches that, in some cases, are more than half a metre wide and stretch all across the site. Mark Bagwell, who is currently in charge of the excavations, is amazed at the size of the structure uncovered. He says he has yet to find its full extent as it continues both north and east of the current workings. Telltale Roman mortar in the bottom of the trenches confirms that the buildings were stone or brick built. This is in contrast to the less-permanent wooden structures found in the Wiend in the 1980's. Roman pottery, roofing tiles and Roman brick are appearing everywhere on the site. Most exciting of all, of course, is the hypocaust, which is mainly still buried but some of its brick floor columns (pilae) can be seen protruding from the debris of later occupation. Much of it has been destroyed by a 17/18th century bell pit (not a mine but a pit for casting bells) but hopefully enough will survive to show the full extent of the structure. Besides the extensive Roman material, there are significant quantities of Medieval pottery being found, which is extremely rare despite Wigan's rich Medieval history. Later structures are also emerging such as 18th century cellars and a 19th century road. Current work on this site is planned for another couple of weeks but Mark estimates he will need much longer to complete the excavations properly.
There is to be a meeting on Wednesday between GMAU and Modus, the developers, but, I fear, a time extension is unlikely to be granted. At our meeting on Wednesday, Nicky Gaskell, who is one of the excavating team, will be there and has promised to bring along some of the finds including a fine example of a Samian ware bowl.
Ellesmere Park Project
Residence of a housing estate in Eccles are getting very excited about the prospect of excavating a Roman Road which runs through their area. They are going to do it as part of Time Team's Big Roman Dig which will be going out in late-June/early-July. The format this year will be different in that there is to be one theme, Roman, and major projects nominated with associated minor ones. Our society, although not directly involved, will have the chance to take part, as the road being investigated happens to be the same Roman Road we have been looking for over the last few years in Atherton and Ince. John Rabbitt, the treasurer of the Eccles Residence Association has asked for our help and, in the first instance, we will be able to do a resistivity survey for them and then later in the year perhaps help them with the excavations. If you are interested please contact me at the meeting.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 6th April at the Baden Powell Centre (Scout HQ) in Greenough Street, starting at 7.30 pm as usual. This month the speaker is Dan Garner, from Chester Archaeology. Dan is in charge of the excavations on Chester's amphitheatre. He will be updating us on latest developments.
