South Leeds Archaeology have been engaged in fieldwork at a farm near Birstall for some seven years.
The last four years have been in a field where earlier maps suggest there was a colliery during the 19th century. Following resistivity surveying (a kind of geophysical technique), we located the foundations of a building close to where we had expected the colliery entrance to be.
The following images show the development of our excavations as the layout of the building has become clearer.
Getting to grips with the Total Station |
After lifting no more than half a dozen turfs we found a structure!! |
After two days we had the west wall of a building with a stone slab floor and a brick built cooking range. |
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 We then opened trench 2 at the opposite wall to trench 1. |
 Following a break for co-vid, we returned and extended the trench 2 excavation. |
 Further excavation gradually revealed the floor extending back towards trench 1 |
STOP PRESS NEWS August 29th 2023
The current excavation which is running for a further two weekends has so far revealed the entrance to a cellar through a brick arch underneath the floor level of our building in trench 2. The building has been interpreted as a possible small office by the entrance but we are only just starting to interpret the function of the ‘cellar’ as more excavating takes place.
Current excavation (2023), the plan was to complete trench 2 to reach the far corner of the building. |
 The square structure in the centre of the previous image was excavated below the level of the ‘office’ floor. |
 To our surprise, a brick arch was revealed. It would appear to be the entrance to a ‘cellar’ below the building.
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If you are interested in finding out more then email: Jim Jackson