HUNDREDS OF volunteers helped to dig up the past and discover Saddleworth’s Roman history thanks to a £70,100 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund Support.
The Friends of Castleshaw Roman Forts used the money to launch their project ‘Redefining Roman Castleshaw: Understanding and sharing our past’.
Led by experienced archaeologists from the University of Salford, around 150 volunteers took part in a 4-week dig throughout July at the site above Delph – the first in 20 years.
They uncovered and examined four trenches around the fort, which dates back to Agricola’s conquest around AD79.
And nearly 300 Saddleworth primary school children enjoyed classes with educational archaeology specialist Dr Rob Isherwood before visiting the site to excavate a cottage.
Duke of Edinburgh participants and Manchester and Huddersfield Young Archaeologist Clubs also took part in the excavations.
Norman Redhead, Archaeological Adviser to the Friends, said: “Many of the volunteers had no prior experience of archaeology so it was a great chance for them to get hands on in exploring their local heritage.
“The dig itself proved a great success. No less than five Roman roads were uncovered!
“Roadside drains were excavated and these had some interesting finds, such as a large ‘melon’ bead made of glass paste and Samian ware, the finest Roman table ware.
“Archaeology is rarely predictable. The recent excavations have thrown up a few surprises and demonstrated the site is far more complex than previous excavators led us to believe.
“The excavations have found several phases of Roman activity, suggesting the fort was rebuilt at some stage and that after its final demolition the land was re-used by the Romans for other purposes.
“There is still a lot of work to do, including analysing the excavation finds and records so a detailed report can be produced.”
Finds from the Roman and post-medieval periods will be cleaned, catalogued and stored at Saddleworth Museum and a detailed report will be published online: www.castleshawarchaeology.co.uk
The project will culminate in a Roman Castleshaw Archaeology Day on Saturday, March 21 2015, at the Civic Centre in Uppermill, with guest speakers and a presentation about the dig.
For more information visit: www.castleshawarchaeology.co.uk or contact Friends of Castleshaw Roman Forts chairman Colin Berry by calling 01457 871510 or emailing chairman@castleshawarchaeology.co.uk
