Newsletter 92

Blacking Mill at the Pier

Last month saw the return of archaeologists to Wigan, excavating once more in the town centre. Not this time in search of Romans, but looking for evidence of Wigan's industrial heritage. The archaeologists are digging a site in front of the Trencherfield Mill in Pottery Road, opposite the Pier, in preparation for a new development there. Site director Chris Wild, from Oxford Archaeology North, told me that they are excavating a Blacking Mill which is shown on the 1849 OS map and which was probably built in the 18th century.

This is very interesting for us as we excavated a 'blacking mill' in the mid 90's at Arley Hall Golf Club near Blackrod. These mills, our research found, were used for crushing charcoal to a fine powder for iron founders who used it to dust moulds before casting (see Newsletter 29). We have also found other examples at Adlington and Blackburn. The excavations in Wigan have revealed extensive remains of this mill lying about a metre below the present surface. The mill floors were made of brick and stone slabs and in some areas wooden beams (even an old door in one place).

The mill was ideally positioned right alongside the canal where its produce could be transported to where it was needed. What is not obvious, however, is the power source as nothing even suggesting a steam engine could be detected. This is in contrast to excavations carried out down the side of Trencherfield Mill where the archaeologists have found massive stone foundation blocks in evaluation trenches that suggest a huge beam engine was being used. This is probably connected to the original mill which was built on this site in 1823. Unfortunately this site will not be fully excavated as the new development will be built above the remains, leaving them untouched.

CBA Spring Reports Meeting

Saturday 6th May at Euxton Parish Community Centre (on the A49 near Papa Luigi's). Jack Smith and I have been involved in the organisation of this meeting and we are both scheduled to give talks on the work we have been doing over recent years. Also on the programme are John Rabbitt and Dot Waring who will be telling us about their excavations in search of the Roman roads in Eccles and Darwen respectively. The afternoon is given over to the professionals, who this year include John Zant (Wigan's Bathhouse), Mike Nevell (recent activities of the UMAU) and Dan Garner (Chester's Amphitheatre). If you are interested in attending please see me at our next meeting.

Egyptology Day School

If Egyptology is more to your liking, also on 6th May John Johnson is running this event at the Orwell (10am till 4pm). The price is £20 but lunch is included. If you want more details contact Christine Fishwick on 01942 517958.

Mystery of the Headless Romans

On Friday night, 21st April at 9.00 pm, BBC2 are broadcasting this programme which is about a graveyard excavated on the outskirts of York. First discovered in 2004 alongside the Roman road to Manchester, this mass grave has revealed over 56 skeletons dating to the early third century AD. What is unusual about the bodies, however, is that the majority were large males in the prime of their lives and most had had their heads cut off. This would normally suggest a war grave similar to the one found at Towton a few years ago. The bodies, however, show no signs of battle trauma, which points to execution. Patrick Ottaway, head of fieldwork with the York Archaeological Trust, says that the heads were removed in a very violent way, in one case taking 13 blows. Patrick's interpretation is that these victims were a result of the accession of Emperor Caracalla who was well known for his vindictive cruelty. He could well have ordered revenge on the local governor for his previous lack of cooperation.

Next Meeting

Wednesday 5th April at the Baden Powell Centre (Scout HQ) in Greenough Street, starting at 7.30 pm as usual. Our speaker this month is Mike Clarke, who will be presenting a talk on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Mike is the chairman of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society and is an expert on all aspects of waterways, both in this country and on the continent. His talk has been highly recommended so hope to see you there. B.A.