Salford schoolchildren put their archaeological skills to the test to uncover Worsley Green’s industrial past as part of British Science Week 2017.
A hundred schoolchildren had an outdoor lesson to understand the location’s heritage.
They used the latest high tech geo-physical mapping equipment to uncover the layers of history all around them.
Children came from Boothstown Methodist Primary School, Godfrey Ermen Memorial Primary School, Eccles and St Mark’s CofE Primary School, Worsley to take part.
They were joined by experts from the University of Salford’s archaeology department, who helped show the students that the picturesque green used to be the centre of a bustling industrial complex at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, which once included a boat building yard, motor mill, timber yard, nail makers, wheelwrights, basketmakers and a warehouse.
Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said: “The landscape around the Bridgewater Canal has seen great changes over the years – but many of those changes are now hidden below ground. “This is a fantastic use of science and technology to remind a whole new generation of the importance of the canal – and a great way to bring British Science Week and our heritage to life for children.”
The day also included poetry readings about the work yard, and the children took part in a one hour workshop called ‘Noisy Yard’, which started with a lively poem, then involved children using archaeological handling objects to create a new sound poem about Worsley at the height of the Industrial Revolution.
Setting up for more community archaeology with local school children at Worsley Green @EERCSalford @archaeologyuk @SalfordCanal pic.twitter.com/pUGpKD3BWW
— Mike Nevell (@Archaeology_UoS) March 16, 2017
The children then worked with artist Angie Thompson to create plaster moulds of items that could be found underneath the Green and leave an imprint in the soil- such as nails, horseshoes, keys and buttons.
All of the activities and more will be open to the public as part of the Muddy Fingers Fête on Sunday 19th March, where experts from the University of Salford will be at Worsley Green to show off the latest geo-physical mapping technology.
The events were all part of Est.1761, a programme of activities designed to inspire and engage local communities with the story of the Bridgewater Canal in Salford as it undergoes a £5.5million restoration.
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