Dig Diary Weeks 1 - 5 (1 Oct - 2 Nov 2007)

Work started on the Ironworks site on 1 October. During the first three weeks the vegetation was cleared and the site was stripped of modern overburden, in the Lower English Buildings and part of the Foundry areas. The archaeological deposits at the site were buried under a layer of modern overburden comprising of demolition material and debris that has accumulated over the years. Over 20,000 tons was removed during the stripping. This had to be removed by large machines before any archaeological work could start.

Site clearance View larger version of above image

Dumper truck clearing up View larger version of above image

Archaeological work then started on the Lower English Buildings area of the site, with a team of four archaeologists cleaning the area by hand. This is done using hoes, mattocks, shovels, and trowels to reveal various surfaces, such as cobbles, concrete floors and wall foundations.

Lower English Buildings - surface View larger version of above image

Lower English Buildings - surface 2 View larger version of above image

When the site had been stripped, it was possible to see the outline of wall foundations, building footprints and the boundary wall to the north of the Lower English buildings.

View of site View larger version of above image

View of site 2 View larger version of above image

Building footprint View larger version of above image

Some of these features appear on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map (1857), however the team have also uncovered walls and structures that do not appear on the Ordnance Survey map.

The map also shows three curious doughnut-shaped buildings in between the two rows of buildings at the Lower English Buildings. The function of these buildings is not yet known and is one of the research questions we are hoping to answer.

Ordnance survey map, Lower English Buildings View larger version of above image

We have also found evidence of old drains and culverts. These would have provided sanitation for the Lower English Buildings. Other things unearthed are voids in the ground. The purpose of these is unknown.

Void in the ground View larger version of above image

The first open day at the Ironworks site was on Saturday 10 November so the site was prepared for public access. The open day was a great success with 120 people visiting the site, and the team are looking forward to the next open day in on 23 February 2008.