Report 97, 'Wrottesley Lodge Farm, the mystery road to the past' has been added to our reports page.

The History of Stourbridge Glass

At last week's meeting we hosted Dr Kate Round, who gave a fascinating talk entitled  'The History of Stourbridge Glass'. As you would expect from someone with a professional career as a research chemist specializing in the study of silica based materials and a strong Black Country heritage, the talk was detailed and absorbing.

 You can read more about the history of Stourbridge Glass at Kate's website.

 

 

 

 

The Gailey Whim Gin

Our second report detailing excavations and research of an 18/19th century 'whim gin' coal mine at Gailey is now available from the Reports page.

 

 

Latest Gailey Report

 

Our latest report into excavations at Plough Farm is now available via the Reports page.

Wrottesley Lodge Farm

Wrottesley Lodge Farm

Whilst searching for a ‘Roman’ road at Wrottesley Lodge farm recently, WAG have uncovered what is believed to be the remains of a 5,000 year old house, a prehistoric track or road and remnants of a similar aged field system.

The house has the typical structure of a Neolithic long house whereby posts are arranged in parallel rows internally and the outer ‘shell’ or walls made of timber or stone. Many post holes were found including burnt ones.

 

 

Structure showing positions of internal post holes.

The house measured about 6-7 metres wide but the length was unable to be ascertained due to the need for the field to be ploughed and sown. Hopefully, a sample of charcoal taken from one of the posts can be radio carbon dated to give an indication of date. The charcoal sample will hopefully be considered by the CARD fund (Community Radio Carbon Dating - www.cardfund.org) for processing.

The track or road was discovered about 400 metres (as the crow flies) away from the house and consisted of two parallel sandstone walls enclosing a surface of clay and stone pieces, in total nearly 6 metres in width, clearly visible on a Google Earth image.

Road or trackway, arrowed, visible on Google Earth.

Image courtesy of Google Earth.

Once again, a sample of charcoal was found and will hopefully be considered by the CARD fund for processing.

Time Team Speaker

 

 

If you're a fan of the original Time Team you'll recognize the speaker at our November meeting. It's Henry Chapman, the Team's expert surveyor who featured in many episodes.

 

On Thursday 27th November, Professor Chapman will be talking to us about wetland archaeology in Britain and northern Europe, covering everything from marshland forts to bog bodies!

 

Non-members are welcome to come along for a fee of £2 (but please note this is currently under review and may increase slightly).

New Home For Meetings

 

After a quarter of a century of meeting at Wolverhampton College, development of the site means we've had to find new premises for our monthly meetings. 

Happily, we've found a suitable home not too far away at Bradmore Community Centre, details as follows: 

Bradmore Community Centre

Birches Barn Road

Pennfields

Wolverhampton

West Midlands

WV3 7BW 

The centre has on-site parking and tea and coffee making facilities. Members get free admission to all meetings but non-members are also welcome for a small fee (currently £2 per person). Please refer to our Events page for details of up-coming meetings.

Festival 2025 Report

Our Festival of Archaeology 2025 dig at Oak house was once again a great success. Over the course of three days we welcomed dozens of adults and children, either as spectators or participants. Everyone who came along seemed genuinely fascinated in our discoveries made during the event and over past visits.

 

You can download the report in PDF format via our reports page.