It's a Big Dig - but one you might actually enjoy!

Sep 24 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

ARCHAEOLOGISTS will be leading Wirral’s own “big dig” starting today as part of the borough’s contribution to the Merseyside Year of Heritage 2007.

Wirral council has commissioned National Museums Liverpool to undertake a community archaeological dig this autumn.

The dig, which will focus on an area near Leasowe lighthouse, will be undertaken over the next month by NML’s Field Archaeological Unit with a team of experienced professional excavators from the museum under the direction of Dr Robert Philpott, head of the unit.

They hope to be supported by local volunteers and are appealing for anyone with an interest to come along.

Dr Philpott, head of the Archaeological Field Unit and project leader, said: “This excavation is a great opportunity for local people to get involved in a professional archaeology project in a location which has previously revealed fascinating archaeological finds.”

Leasowe lighthouse will be used as a base for the duration of the project. However, three or four smaller trenches will also be excavated close to the shore at Meols and Leasowe.

These are all close to areas which produced significant finds and structures in the 19th century, particularly from the Viking and Roman periods.

Archaeologists believe the remains of what might be a Viking longboat are buried under the car park of the Railway Inn pub, in Meols.

The dig will run weekdays from September 24 to October 19, as well as on two Sundays, September 30 and October 7.

For further information about the above and more details of the programme please contact Dr Liz Stewart, The Field Archaeology Unit, National Museums of Liverpool, Dock Traffic Office, Albert Dock, Liverpool or phone 0151-478 4443

For regular updates, visit the National Museums Liverpool website – http://www. liverpoolmuseums.org. uk/mol/archaeology/ fieldarchaelogy

liammurphy