Members of the public are invited to play their part in unearthing some unique history from 18th and 19th century Salford.
People of all ages can join in a public archaeological dig at Buile Hill Park during September and October after being invited by experts at the Centre for Applied Archaeology at the University of Salford.
Buile Hill Park is the final excavation of the Dig Greater Manchester project and hopes to reveal more secrets of the now-vanished mansion house, an earlier late 18th century manor and a 17th century farm.
The dig will run from the 7th September through to the 9th October and is open to anybody over the age of 16, with children’s day on Saturdays.
A prior dig on the site uncovered a wealth of archaeological material relating to the people who lived and worked in Hart Hill House including domestic cups, bowls, plates, jugs, bottles, animal bones, glassware, clay tobacco pipes and ceramic floor and fireplace tiles.
The forthcoming dig is searching particularly for surviving remains associated with the earlier Hart Hill estates
Vicky Nash, Senior Archaeologist at the University of Salford, said: “Being able to get your hands on with history is something special which really brings the past back to life in a way books and television never could.
“Volunteers are able to physically interact with history by walking around the remains of the rooms and handling objects lost or thrown away by the people who lived and worked in the mansion.
“Dig Greater Manchester is a fantastic project which stimulates the imagination and gives local people us a better understanding of what life was like in their community 100 or 200 years ago.”
No previous experience is necessary as organisers will provide training onsite.
The team will also hold a public open day on Saturday 10th October 2015 ( 10am to 4pm) to showcase the results of the dig.
Volunteers can book now by contacting Penny Dargan-Makin at: p.r.d.dargan-makin@salford.ac.uk.
