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No.81 March 2005

Monthly Newsletter

Roman Ditch Found in Ship Yard

Shipyard Roman Ditch 1.jpg (64285 bytes)

Thursday last week Ian Miller invited the public to view the current workings behind the Ship Hotel (Yates’ Wine Lodge), connected with the Wigan’s town centre development. He could not have timed it better, for just the previous evening the archaeologist had discovered a Roman ditch running through the site, complete with Roman pottery and even timber. This is most exciting as this site was only expected to produce late medieval material. The ditch is well defined in the classical ‘V’ shape which, most interestingly, suggests a military origin. Although not used for defensive purposes, its form is typical of the type used to mark out the ‘vicus’ (or small settlement) which grew up alongside the fort. If it is true then this could be the most positive evidence yet that Wigan was in deed Coccium, the Roman fort mentioned in the 3rd century Antonine Itinerary.

The pottery found is quite unusual, with a swirling grooved pattern and has been provisionally dated to the late 1st century AD, a period when the Romans were on military campaign in the north of the country. But most exciting of all is the Roman timber, including thin worked planks from which the archaeologists will be able to obtain an accurate date using Carbon 14 techniques. It is most unusual to find timber surviving from the Roman period as damp conditions are usual needed. The archaeologists are certainly working in damp conditions at the moment and must be commended for their efforts despite the rain and snow. The site is also revealing Medieval pottery from a variety of features including some dating to the 14th century. The whole site has survived the ravages of the Victorian era, lying under a layer of shingles that formed the base of a cobbled yard. Ian tells me that he has another week or so on this site before he moves onto the area on the other side of Penningtons furniture shop, where Roman material was also discovered in the evaluation phase. Ian is also hopeful for a building just behind the Ship Hotel, which has not been cellared and may provide more evidence of Roman Wigan, but pressure from the developers may prevent further exploration in this area.

Shipyard Roman wood.jpg (46386 bytes)

Archaeology Forum

Lancaster University is holding its 32nd Annual Forum in the Faraday Lecture Theatre this Saturday (5th March). The conference will be chaired by Dr David Shotter and will include talks on a variety of subjects including: Chester’s Amphitheatre; Heronbridge Project; Medieval Carlisle; The Ancient Port of Meols; The Roman Cemetery at Brougham; Celts in the North West and Lost Gardens of the Lake District. If you are interested the cost for the day is £19 but bookings must be made in advance. Please see me at the meeting for a booking form or you can book on-line at www.lancs.ac.uk/users/cnwrs .

Shipyard Roman pottery.jpg (34416 bytes)
Shipyard Roman wood.jpg (46386 bytes)

Infinite Wave

Dave Horrocks, a Wigan lad now living in Canada, has generously offered to run our website for us. Based in Calgary, Dave runs several computer-based businesses including Audio mastering and DVD authoring (www.infinitewave.ca). He has expressed great interest in the activities of our society and wants to get involved in anyway he can (including maybe revamping the site). This is great news for the society and we look forward to see what he can do (our website is perhaps due for an update anyway).

Next Meeting

Wednesday 2nd March at the Baden Powell Centre (Scout HQ) in Greenough Street, starting at 7.30 pm as usual. This month the speaker is Nick Herepath, who is the Finds Liaison Officer for the North West (www.finds.org.uk ). He will be bringing us up to date on the recent developments from the National Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Hope to see you there. B.A.