Section through the 'metalled' surface at Chorlton Fold
Digging got underway on schedule last month on this joint venture, set up between the Ellesmere Park Residence Association and the GMAU. As reported in our previous newsletter, John Rabbitt from the Association is looking for more evidence of the Roman Road that supposedly runs from Manchester to Wigan. Iron tap slag nodules, which turned up in earlier test pits, have also got the experts from the Manchester Unit excited about the possibility that the site could be Medieval. Steve Bell from the Unit, who is the site supervisor, has allowed John a free hand to organise his manpower and all arrangements while he has remained in overall control (just lending a hand where necessary with the technical details). This arrangement has worked well and has continued for the brief period when Ruth Garret, from the unit, took over in Steve's absence. John has been able to recruit volunteers from a wide range of sources, both local and from groups and societies through-out the region including Darwen, Chorley, ourselves, of course, and even as far a way as Lancaster. As before, John has been keen to encourage local school children to get involved (they were 'let loose' on the foundations of the adjacent cottage and apparently had a great time).
Road-side Ditch Section
The project has been a resounding success, but, for John at least, the results have been a little less so. He has found a 'metalled' road surface and it even has a ditch on one side, but the structure is very different to the section found less than half a mile away at the Three Sisters site. Iron tap slag forms the upper surface, overlying a layer of larger sandstone blocks, which are severely angled, keying the slag into a hard, durable structure. The north-south alignment of the ditch feature is also at odds with the general east-west alignment of the road from Manchester to Wigan. A theory put forward is that this could be the branch road leading to Blackrod via the A6, which was suggested by the antiquarians in the 19th century. Whatever it is, it is certainly an ancient route. Pottery from the ditch has been preliminarily dated to the late 14th century. The presence of the slag nodules almost certainly means a smelting operation lies close by, which is at least 600 years old. Professional involvement has now finished on the site but work by the volunteers is scheduled to continue for as long as the developer will allow it.
Roman Road in Ince
In the early 1980's I worked for some years in Higher Ince, in an office situated on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool canal just behind Clarrington Forge. The site of the office was close to where Sibson, in the 19th century, had described the Roman Road crossing the canal on its route into Wigan. My assumption at that time was that there would be little chance of the road surviving under the very extensive housing and industrial development in the area. However Brian Parr, a local historian, has been studying the route between here and Amberswood Common and thinks there may be a few places where it may have avoided destruction. In particular he has recently noticed a plot of land being redeveloped in Anderton Street opposite the factory, on the opposite side of the canal to where my office was. It seems that this plot, as long as anyone can remember, has never been built on and also nothing is shown on the early maps. This suggests, therefore, that there may be a chance that the road has survived under the surface at this point. Tom has been in contact with the developer who seems amenable and may allows us on to the site for further investigations before any evidence is destroyed for ever.
Grant Awarded
At last year's AGM we made an agreement to pursue funding, via the Community Chest, for presentation equipment, which would include a digital projector and laptop computer. Tom tells me now that our application has been successful and we have been awarded the full amount of £1250. This is great news and will enable us to get up to speed with the latest equipment available. On behalf of the society I would like to thank Tom for all his efforts.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 1st November at the District Scout HQ (Baden Powell Centre) in Greenough Street, starting at 7.30 pm as usual. This month we have the return of Ian Miller from Oxford Archaeology North who will be updating us on the post excavation work on the Wigan Bathhouse, and also any other current matters of interest.
