Works continue on the site of our new turbine behind the historic Snuff Mill. An archaeological watching brief has been undertaken, with Dave Saxby from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) braving the torrential rain to make some interesting discoveries.
Dave Saxby from MOLA and the Mackleys contractors on a very muddy site (NTPL/Caroline Pankhurst)
The most exciting moment was when an 18th-century brick wall for the head-race of the east mill was uncovered. It is likely to date to the 1750s when Peter Davenport and Nathaniel Polhill erected the Snuff Mill on the site.
The wall measured 1.50m in height and was placed upon a raft of timber to stop it sinking into the natural sand and gravel. Projecting from the head-race wall were two parallel walls forming a small 18th-century building, possibly a cart shed. The head-race wall had been rebuilt in the 19th century when the west mill was constructed around 1830.
The 18th century brick wall behind the Snuff Mill (MOLA)
A few sherds of pottery were also recovered, probably the refuse of the occupiers of the mill in the 19th century:
Sherds of pottery (and a bone!) found at the turbine site (NTPL/Caroline Pankhurst)
To find out more about Museum of London Archaeology and their work at Morden Hall Park, see:
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