Surprising archaeological discoveries

The two thousand year old fortified site (hill fort), with triple ramparts, was described as “ancient” in a Latin manuscript from 800 years ago

During 2009/2010 major archaeological sites were discovered in Rochdale, including a fortified site and burial sites as old as four thousand years old. This information was made public on 18 December. The two thousand year old fortified site (hill fort), with triple ramparts, was described as “ancient” in a Latin manuscript from 800 years ago.

A nearby site has a bank (clearly visible) cutting off a peninsula of land. There are also extensive early cultivation sites and field boundaries as well as many ruined farmsteads. One expanse of moorland is punctured by dozens of small pits, of unknown origin, some big enough to fall into, but never recorded on any maps of the area. Many more sites remain undiscovered, even though they are above ground.

Whitworth has around one hundred medieval charters referring to smallholders land transfers in the area, which firmly secures it’s place as one of the best documented medieval villages in the country.

However, a 2007 archaeological survey just west of Whitworth found no medieval evidence for the area, and ignored the ruins of the nearby medieval manor house.

There are plans to erect a wind farm on this land, and an archaeologist worried about the threat this poses said: "The public need to know the real heritage of this location before it is lost forever. Without the release of this information the wind farm will go ahead unchallenged."

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/1702/archaeologist-worried-over-threat-to-rochdales-heritage