The water mill, which had been buried for nearly 2,000 years and is the first to be uncovered in Cumbria, will be put on public view in the town’s tourist information centre a week today.
In August volunteers from Heritage Lottery Fund, supported Bassenthwaite Reflections, excavated an area alongside the River Derwent at Papcastle – behind the Lakes Homecentre in Cockermouth.
Last November’s floods unearthed Roman artefacts, so Reflections decided to back a formal dig, led by Cumbrian specialists Grampus Heritage and Training.
Investigation archaeologist, Mark Graham, said: “This was an incredibly important find, the first watermill to be uncovered in Cumbria. It’s of national importance and sheds new light on the area’s early Romano-British activity.
“Foundation stones compatible with a mill were found, as well as fragments from a structure which could have supported the wheel.
“The mill might have ground wheat, or even driven bellows to smelt iron. It’s more than likely the building would have served nearby Papcastle fort and been part of the civilian settlement which sprang up around it.”
The team used instruments to detect buried walls during the dig, which was carried out over 100 days. It was two pieces of wood sticking out of the ground which led to the discovery of what may have been a wooden channel leading to the water wheel.
Foundation stones compatible with a mill and fragments of a structure that may have supported the wheel have also been found.
Mr Graham added: “Reflections’ volunteers put in well over 100 days on this dig and it is through their dedication we have been able to achieve such a great result.
“We hope people enjoy the exhibition and see how the finds play an important part in showing the Roman occupation jigsaw.”
The exhibition runs until December 10.
Author: Jenny Barwise | Source: News & Star [November 19, 2010]