A WEEK-LONG archaeological dig could be about to shed more light on a community's history. The Headland, in Hartlepool, is currently a hive of activity thanks to an excavation being carried out by Durham University's archaeological services.
It is digging on the land in front of the medieval Manor House and on the site of the former Friarage sports hall and youth centre buildings. Daniel Still, project manager for the dig, said he was hopeful of unearthing Saxon or medieval remains. He added: "The Manor House was originally much larger than it is now, so we are expecting to find some remains of that. We also think we might reveal some traces of the monastic settlement on the Headland – perhaps part of the medieval cloisters. Previous digs have also uncovered Saxon remains, so it is possible that we could come across some of those as well."
The dig will involve six trenches - each more than 6ft wide - being excavated. They will range from 30ft to 120ft long. The dig has been funded by the North Hartlepool Partnership, which is using money from regional development agency One NorthEast to regenerate the Headland. Although the work of the Partnership itself comes to an end at the end of this month, it's hoped that in the longer term the Manor House can be restored and brought back into use, so the dig will reveal any archaeological remains which future developers would need to be aware of.
Councillor John Marshall, chairman of the North Hartlepool Partnership, which has funded the dig, said it was a win-win' situation because people would gain historical knowledge of the Headland as well as bringing back to life a well-loved old building. He said: "Let's hope we can do all of them so we have an area to be proud of."
It is digging on the land in front of the medieval Manor House and on the site of the former Friarage sports hall and youth centre buildings. Daniel Still, project manager for the dig, said he was hopeful of unearthing Saxon or medieval remains. He added: "The Manor House was originally much larger than it is now, so we are expecting to find some remains of that. We also think we might reveal some traces of the monastic settlement on the Headland – perhaps part of the medieval cloisters. Previous digs have also uncovered Saxon remains, so it is possible that we could come across some of those as well."
The dig will involve six trenches - each more than 6ft wide - being excavated. They will range from 30ft to 120ft long. The dig has been funded by the North Hartlepool Partnership, which is using money from regional development agency One NorthEast to regenerate the Headland. Although the work of the Partnership itself comes to an end at the end of this month, it's hoped that in the longer term the Manor House can be restored and brought back into use, so the dig will reveal any archaeological remains which future developers would need to be aware of.
Councillor John Marshall, chairman of the North Hartlepool Partnership, which has funded the dig, said it was a win-win' situation because people would gain historical knowledge of the Headland as well as bringing back to life a well-loved old building. He said: "Let's hope we can do all of them so we have an area to be proud of."
(Hartlepool Mail - 23 March 2007)
No comments:
Post a Comment