As I mentioned in the August nature report, I had contacted one of the Cheshire County Archaeologists about the timbers that had been exposed by the collapse and erosion of the bank of the River Dane.

At the time that I was writing the report I had not yet had any further contact, this was not unexpected, as most public services are under funded and under resourced.

However as I was preparing the report for publication on the web I received a phone call from Dr Jonathan Lageard, pictured on the right, from Manchester Metropolitan University Informing me that he had been contacted by Cheshire Archaeologist Dr Jill Collens who had requested him to kindly take a look at the structure.

Dr Lageard kindly offered for me to join him and another colleague of his Dr Ian Drew, pictured here on the left, and also from Manchester Metropolitan University at the Greenheyes site. Both are senior lecturers in the University's department Environmental and Geographical Sciences.

They very kindly allowed my son James to accompany us, as he was with me when the structure was originally found and has shown a keen interest in discovering more about it.

The purpose of the visit was not to specifically identify what it is but to obtain a sample or samples of the timbers in order to date the age of the structure by using dendrochronology, which is one of Dr Lageard's specialist subjects.

As I have mentioned in previous nature reports the level of water in the river Dane can change very quickly with only a little rain and on arrival at the site the level while still low had risen approximately 10cm to 15cm above what I would have liked it to be.

It does not sound like much by the Dane carries a lot of sediment in suspension and 10cm to 15cm can make considerable difference to viewing objects submerged under the water.

However as can be seen from the image on the left some of the structures timbers were visible above the waterline and Dr Lageard was able to recover what appeared to be a piece of oak plank from the timbers.

In the background you can see Dr Drew inspecting the bank, under the watchful scrutiny of James, for other timbers and parts of the structure that may be being exposed.

Also of interest, though sadly out of reach on this occasion was this rather substantial timber on the newly form island in the middle of the river.

At this time it is not known whether it is connected to this site, or washed down from upstream. It would be interesting to recover it for further investigation.

With the recovery of the timber achieved the main task of the day was accomplished, and after a short visual reconnaissance of the immediate area it was time to return back up to the farm with the sample.

Being apparently solid oak, and waterlogged it was not the lightest of pieces of wood and James insisted on helping to carry it back up to fame. (yes I did help too).

On arrival back up at the farm, the timber was cut into two more manageable sections, and a cursory inspection of the cross-section by Dr Lageard indicated that it may indeed be possible to obtain a dendro-date from the tree rings visible.

Well that's all the details for now. I will keep you updated on further developments as and when I receive them.

Finally I would like very much to thank Dr Lageard an Dr Drew for allowing James and I to accompany them on what for us was a very interesting and educational morning.

Since I wrote this report at the beginning of the month, I can now report (at the end of the month) that yet more timber has appeared.

The notches that can be seen in the timber are roughly the same distance apart as the upright timbers protruding from the river bank/bed (shown below).

Perhaps it forms part of the same structure?

I will keep you informed as to any developments.

 

 

 

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