Perforated Kiln Tile
Last month this single piece of perforated kiln tile turned up on the site of the Doughty Mill in the Arley Valley. It is almost ten years ago since we excavated the site on the banks of the River Douglas in search of a Medieval corn mill (a mill is documented in this area as early as the 13th century). Our excavations did turn up a building straddling a mill race (see our Arley Mills report published under Projects) but, at the time, there was no evidence to confirm that it was the corn mill we were looking for. This tile fragment is the first real piece of evidence for a corn mill at this location.
A few hundred metres down stream, fed by the same mill race, is the Blacking Mill. Both this mill and the Doughty mill are indicated on an early estate map, but it is quite evident, judging by the size and type of the grinding wheels, that the Blacking Mill was never meant for grinding corn.
This newly discovered tile is very similar to the ones we found at the Standish Hall Corn Mill (again report published under Projects) and probably dates to the 17th or 18th century. Tiles of this age are hand-made and quite rare. They were used extensively in kilns for the floors where the corn was spread out to dry, which suggests a building of similar proportions to the one we found at Standish. However, given the present conditions of the site, it would be very difficult to find one in this area and we have no plans as yet to investigate it further.
Excavation Potential
John Explains the Chorlton Fold Site
I reported earlier in the year that John Rabbit had been investigating at Chorlton Fold, a site to the west of the Three Sisters site, where we helped him to excavate last year (see Newsletter 83 and Newsletter 85). John is looking for a continuation of the Roman road from Manchester to Wigan. Small evaluation trenches, carried out in the area earlier this summer, were very positive and even suggest some Medieval activity. The land owner (Mark Hammond of Leaway Manchester) is happy to let John excavate but, as Mark wants to develop the area, the site is subject to planning regulations (PPG16). Over the summer, John and Mark have been in negotiations with Norman Redhead from the GMAU, to find a way forward. These negotiations have now been resolved and a collaborative arrangement has been agreed between the residence association and GMAU. This will give local enthusiasts and amateur societies a unique chance to work along side the professionals. In the present climate of developer funding, where volunteer involvement is rarely accepted, this is quite a step forward and it will be interesting to see how it pans out. Works starts on the 9th October and the site will be open to volunteers from the 11th October. We have been invited to take part, so if you are interested please contact me asap.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 4h October at the District Scout HQ (Baden Powell Centre) in Greenough Street, starting at 7.30 pm as usual. This month's speaker is Peter Iles, the County Archaeologist for Lancashire. His talk is on The Motte and Bailey Castles in the Lune Valley.
This summer Peter made a remarkable discovery in the riverbed of the Lune as it passes through Lancaster. Because of the unusually dry weather, the river has been running quite low, which gave Peter the unique opportunity to take this remarkable picture.
Lancaster Roman Ford
Although lying 2 feet under water, detail can clearly be seen of what is probably the original Roman ford at Lancaster. Two pairs of vertical wooden posts run parallel to each other across the river, retaining the large stones that form the base of the ford.
The arrangement is such that the structure is well protected from the constant scouring of the river. It seems to lie below the remains of the Medieval bridge and, if its age can be proven, will be quite a unique structure in the Roman world.
More details can be found on the Lancashire C.C.'s website, but I'm sure Peter will be able to tell us more at the meeting.
