Wirral's Hidden History Revealed
Medieval – Weight
Finds from Wirral
LVPL-25CB9D – MEDIEVAL weight
Portable Antiquities Scheme Statement
A lead object, possibly a gaming piece or a weight, possibly dating to the early medieval period onwards (c.AD 850-1700).The object is small and conical in shape. A portion is missing from the side, likely due to recent plough damage. The base is flat. The surface is rough with a seam running around the centre which when observing the damaged portion, it presents a section of two layers of lead forged together. The object has a rough and pitted surface but is otherwise undecorated. It has a white / light grey patina.Dimensions: Length 14.38mm; diameter (base) 18.9mm; weight 27.51g
https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1053038
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Modern – George IV Coin
Finds from Wirral
Modern – George IV Coin
Not old enough to be recorded on PAS but still interesting as part of the Wirral story.
Here we have a penny coin dated 1826 issued during the reign of King George IV.
He was king from 1820 until his death in 1830 but had acted as Prince Regent from 1811 during his father King George III mental illness.
George IV was the eldest child of King George III and Queen Charlotte. He led an extravagant lifestyle that contributed to the fashions of the Regency era. He was a patron of new forms of leisure, style and taste.
He commissioned John Nash to build the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and remodel Buckingham Palace, and commissioned Jeffry Wyatville to rebuild Windsor Castle.
Modern – Victoria Coin
Finds from Wirral
Modern – Victoria Coin
Again this find is not old enough to be recorded on the British Museums database but it is on ours.
It is a silver sixpence from 1887. This was a significant year in the reign Queen Victoria as it marked 50 years she she became Queen in 1837.
She reigned until her death in 1901 and she reigned for 63 years and 216 days.
Queen Elizabeth II reigned for 70 years and 214 days.
https://www.wirralarchaeology.org/pages/2023/02/24/modern-victorian-coin/
Boat Beneath The Car Park – Update
The investigation – an update
It is the end of the investigation week but there is still a long way to go till we discover the age of the boat under the car park.
The ‘dig’ was carried out by a team from Wirral Archaeology CIC working in partnership with the pub owners, Greene King. Work was performed under the supervision of professional archaeologist, Charles Jones, who has spent many years researching the site of the Battle of Fulford (1066), and scientist Professor Stephen Harding of Nottingham University.
The investigation was not a ‘dig’ as we would traditionally understand it but an investigation using a series of specially drilled holes to try to obtain wood samples from the ship in order to analyse and try to ascertain its age.
Vibrant Seaport
Some have suggested the boat may be quite old but only testing will be able to tell for sure.
Any remains and surrounding soil will undergo a range of scientific analyses including Carbon14 dating, dendrochronology and wood assessment (state of preservation and possible origins). These tests will provide us with a context and valuable information about the age and possible origin of the boat.
Support the Research
Whatever donation you can give will be appreciated and it’s so easy to donate using gofundme.
If you are interested in finding out more about what we do then contact us
The Boat Beneath The Car Park
The Boat Beneath the Car Park
The Investigation
It has been an exciting week searching for the boat again.
It looks as if the uncovering in 1938 has caused a lot of the exposed timbers to rot but samples of the wood and iron have been taken for analysis.
The analysis that will hopefully be able to age the craft.
We will release some image of the investigation on these pages soon as well as a complete write up of the week long investigation.
Help in the investigation
The Boat Beneath the Car Park – Funding Request
Wirral Archaeology Community Interest Company have been carrying out a professional archaeological investigation of an alleged ancient, clinker-constructed boat buried beneath the car park of the Railway Inn in Meols, on the northern coast of the Wirral Peninsula. Wirral Archaeology Community Interest Company are digging deep , can you help us out? Funding support will go towards the cost of analysis of the samples that will be taken.
Modern – Watch Winder
Finds from Wirral
Modern – Watch Winder
Another of our finds that is not old enough to to be listed on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database is this lovely little pocket watch winder.
It is well preserved so we can see the details “G E Evans Cross Street Oswestry ” on one side and “Watch maker and Jeweller” on the other.
Roman – Valentinian I Coin
Finds from Wirral
Roman – Valentinian I Coin
This is dated AD 364-AD375 and of the reign of the emperor Valentinian I.
Portable Antiquities Scheme Statement:
A copper alloy Roman nummus of Valentinian I (AD 364-375), dating to the period AD 364-7 (Reece period 19). Reverse type GLORIA ROMANORVM; depicting emperor advancing right, holding standard and dragging captive. Mint Siscia. LRBC p. 72, no. 1271.
Although Valentinianic nummi from Siscia are quite common in Britain, they are generally later issues from the period AD 367-75. Early coins such as this one are rarely found in Britain.
Iron Age – Harness Fitting
Finds from Wirral
IRON AGE Harness Fitting
One of our oldest finds late Iron Age to Roman 100BC to 200AD.
Portable Antiquities Scheme Statement:
An incomplete copper alloy harness fitting dating to the late Iron Age to Roman period (c.100BC – AD200).
The terret is composed of a thick circular loop which is sub-oval in cross-section. The loop is incomplete with one terminating in a worn break and the other in a seemingly sharp, fresh break. Projecting from the top of the loop is a smaller integral rectangular shaped hoop which sits on an elongated oval collar. The terret has a mid-brown / green patina with some wear on the surface.
Dimensions: Length 35.89mm; width 33.48mm; thickness 6.16mm; weight 20.04g
Post Medieval – Hooked Tag
Finds from Wirral
Hooked Tag
Two of our verified finds. Can you guess what they are ?
Portable Antiquities Scheme Statement
A complete copper alloy hooked tag dating to the post medieval period (c.AD 1450-1500).
The object is cast in a single piece and comprises of an oval plate with three loop projections, one at the apex and one at either side to form a trefoil. An integral rectangular hook protrudes from the base of the plate and curves inwards, terminating with a rounded edge. The plate face is decorated with an incised and punched design of a spray of three flowers bordered with ring and dot motifs and horiontal collar at the beginning of the hook. The reverse is undecorated.
Dimensions: Length 32.66mm; width 22.71mm; thickness 1.82mm; weight 5.06g
Have a look at the links below to the Portable Antiquities Scheme to learn all about them.
Post Medieval – Finger Ring
Finds from Wirral
LVPL-27F72B – POST MEDIEVAL finger ring
Portable Antiquities Scheme Statement
An incomplete copper alloy finger ring of probably late medieval to post medieval date (c.AD 1400-1700)
The object is cast in one piece and has a roped design on the outer edge. The interior of the band is flat and undecorated. The band is thickest at the apex and gradually tapers to two worn breaks. It has dark green patina.
Dimensions: Diameter 22.18mm; thickness 3.21mm; weight 1.69mm
Medieval bling. Read all about it on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database at the below link.
https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1053090