Manchester Archive
Development Control Project Report for 2007-8
Development Control Project Report for 2006-7
Several major excavations in Castlefield provided for the first time an understanding of the eastern side of the Roman settlement (vicus), with stone founded half-timbered buildings lining both sides of Deansgate, and a Roman temple set back from the North Gate road. Excavation at Barton Street alone yielded c 8,000 Roman pot sherds, as well as fine glass ware, metal work and a female cremation. A pre-determination evaluation, at Castlefield Quay, allowed significant fort and vicus remains to be identified and preserved in situ by redesigning development foundations. These excavations and the mass of finds they have produced enabled us re-interpret the development and form of the Roman settlement. GMAU worked with Manchester CC to refurbish the Roman Gardens, including the reconstructed North Gate, as an amenity and educational facility.
A number of important industrial period excavations included examining and recording remains of c 1800 back-to-back cellar dwellings in Piccadilly, early steam engine and boiler house remains from mill sites in Ancoats, and a c 1800 hat working and soda water manufacturing site off Deansgate.
Several mill surveys were ongoing, including the Ancoats mills (Royal and Murrays) which formed part of the World Heritage Proposal for Manchester.