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Archaeology
We work closely with the County’s archaeologists in the Historic Environment Team, who deal with all strategic archaeological matters and advice, planning issues, historic environment record etc. For more information Visit our Archaeology pages
Cheshire Museums Service is the nominated repository for archaeological material from Cheshire, excluding Chester and Warrington. The Service accepts the finds and archive from most developer-led work, and selected casual or treasure finds (reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme). Finds from the collection feature in the Roman Middlewich Project display in Middlewich Library, in various displays at Nantwich Museum, Congleton Museum and at the Salt Museum.
Recent archaeological archives
Much archaeological material is not displayable e.g. pot shards and soil samples, but can be extremely useful to other archaeologists for research purposes. For an appointment please write to us giving details of the purpose of your research and what you wish to examine. For a list of the most recent acquisitions click here.
Information for Archaeological Contractors
We ask that you contact us as early as possible and that you address the requirements in ‘Conditions for the Acceptance of Archaeological Archives’, which is also included in ‘Guidance & General Conditions for Archaeological Contractors & Consultants in Cheshire’ (available from Cheshire County Council Environmental Planning Service).
Finds Liaison/Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS)
PAS is a national voluntary scheme for recording archaeological objects found by the public (reporting of any object which could be treasure is compulsory). The heart of the scheme is the network of locally-based finds liaison officers. Frances McIntosh covers Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire and holds surgeries for finds reporting and identification at the Grosvenor Museum, Warrington Museum and the Salt Museum once a month. Contact Frances on 0151 478 4259 or Frances.McIntosh@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
For more information on PAS and treasure reporting, visit: http://www.finds.org.uk/
Cheshire Archaeology Day
Archaeology Day is now into its 15th season and is a collaborative effort between the archaeologists in the Historic Environment Team and the Museums Service. The Day is attended by around 400 people and is intended to bring the latest news to a non-specialist audience. This year’s Archaeology Day will take place on 21 April 07. To join the mailing list, email annette.swift@cheshire.gov.uk
Roman Middlewich Project
This successful project celebrated the town’s Roman heritage with the help of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A local partnership devised a trail, a new popular publication, trained a team of guides, produced education resources, a new exhibition and a Roman festival. The exhibition was the Museums Service’s specific contribution to the Project. Visit the website Roman Middlewich
Led by the archaeologists in the Historic Environment Team, the aim of this Heritage Lottery-funded project was to raise awareness of the County’s history, the historic environment record and to make the information more accessible. Alongside the public access database, were a series of factsheets, a community exhibition and a larger object-based exhibition. Various museums in the area including Cheshire Museums Service loaned objects and hosted an exhibition.
Saving the Nantwich Salt ‘Ship’
In August 2003, archaeologists working ahead of a new building development in the medieval part of Nantwich unearthed a salt ‘ship’. This is a skilfully hollowed and squared oak tree trunk over 7m in length, which was used to store brine from the local brine springs prior to boiling and evaporation to extract the salt. It had only survived due to the exceptionally waterlogged ground conditions in the area. The County Council along with Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council, Nantwich Town Council, the local civic society and Nantwich Museum put together a successful fast-track bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The ‘ship’ is currently undergoing conservation at York Archaeological Trust and will be featured in a new display at Nantwich Museum in Autumn 06. For more information visit the Nantwich Museum Trust webpage
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