News about the Project
Fieldwork halted but project continues.......
An extension to the main trench identified contamination problems, so because of Health and Safety issues, all fieldwork has had to stop in the area of the glassworks and pottery. Task groups are now concentrating on survey work (coastal and landscape); completing the oral remniniscence and historical research work; pottery reconstruction and interpretation.
An OPEN DAY is planned for Saturday, September 6th (11am-4pm) as part of East Lothian Archaeology Week, at the Visitor Centre. More information on the events pages
Back in the field again!!
The 2008 fieldwork kicks off at the end of April and is set to continue until Mid September.Following a pre-start meeting last weekend (Saturday April 12th) to revisit the aims of the project, what the team still needs to do, safety induction stuff etc the fieldwork will start at the end of April. The first task is to complete a historic building survey of the Customs House and then in May, trenches will be opened up in the glassworks/pottery area. Work will continue through the summer with a project break in July. An open day will be organised for September
Phase 2 update! |
News Update !!
Since the start of this season’s excavations in June, the PCAP have now finished work on Trenches 2 and 3: these were opened up to look for any remains surviving from the late 19th century Gordon’s Pottery following good signal returns from the Ground Penetration Radar survey in 2006. Sadly, the team were only able to recover two railway track-beds from a railway siding that was used by the nearby Prestongrange Colliery. Wooden sleepers and iron dogs for holding railway lines were found in situ. The track-bed rests above natural deposits of sand so no further work is needed here. The track-bed has been left exposed for our open day in September.
On 17th of August, the team moved over to Trench 1: this was opened up to look for any buildings on the north side of the glass works air-flue. In 2005 we uncovered several buildings on the south side of the air-flue and it seemed logical that such an important industry would have had several ancillary buildings associated with the process of glass making. We knew from earlier work that 20th century building remains were also present. We have decided to empty the interior of the glass-flue in order to expose the full extent of its flagstone and brick floor. We have been successful in finding part of a new building but it is too early to say whether or not this is associated with the glass works. We are now in a position to excavate the foundation trench for the air-flue and any finds such as pottery (or even better a coin) from that feature will be important in providing a date for when the flue was constructed.
Finally, the PCAP history and oral reminiscence groups are enjoying the tuition provided by experts from Stirling University as well as some members also being engaged in excavation. The history group are actively engaged in historical research and are gaining experience in how to interpret old handwriting. The oral reminiscence tuition will enable this aspect of the project to continue over the winter months and the group are working out their aims and strategies. The information gathered by both of these groups play a central role within the Prestongrange Community Archaeology Project and will help direct the course of the excavations in the next season as well as providing information on features already excavated [August 27th 2007]
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