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LINK: Archaeologist Caroline Bulcock at work
LINK: Archaeologist Caroline Bulcock at work
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Diggers find oven at Roman hotspot

Clarissa Satchell
28/ 2/2005

A ROMAN oven and pieces of pottery have been uncovered beneath the site of a new shopping arcade.

Developers are building a '120 million centre, the Grand Arcade, in Wigan but because of the town's rich Roman heritage they have asked a team of archaeologists to carry out a dig on the site.

As a result the team of experts has uncovered the first Roman remains to be found in the town for more than 20 years.

In addition to the Roman oven and pottery, remains of Westerwold German stoneware have been uncovered at the shopping centre site off Station Road.

The discoveries are being examined and categorised by experts.

Cremation

Wigan was the site of a Roman fort known as Coccium, which was in existence in the second century AD.

Three Roman roads have been traced in the Wigan area and researched by the Wigan Archaeological Society.

Other Roman finds in the area include hordes of coins, cremation urns and a headless statue of the Persian god Cautopates.

Tim Heatley, of developers Modus Properties, said: "We have always been aware of Wigan's heritage and we have taken great care to be sensitive to this in both the way we construct the development and also in the way the scheme will look.

"We are sure that Grand Arcade will further enhance this rich and interesting heritage from the arrival of the Romans right through to the days of Wigan Casino.

"We plan to acknowledge the broad and varied history of the site with a plaque and we are considering other ideas that will remind the shoppers of its importance."

The shopping centre and a 800-space car park are due to open in 2007 with stores including Debenhams, BHS, Marks and Spencer and TK Maxx.


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Most recent 2 of 3 user comments

   I to have visited the Roman site in Wigan and feel very strongly that this site should be preserved for future generations to come. Wigan Council have alot to answer for. I believe the site is to become another multi-storey car park. Why can they not just rebuild the one they have just pulled down at the bottom of Millgate. and have the romen site as a tourist attraction/ museum?
Yvonne Dunn, Wigan
19/05/2005 at 13:22

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   Having been to visit the dig on Saturday last, I do hope that what has been found will be saved for future generations. It needs to be kept in Wigan so that my grandchildren and their children will be able to understand the importance of Wigan to the romans. Thank you to the wonderful archaeologists who were on hand on Saturday to explain exactly what we could see. Come on Wigan Council and the developers, find a suitable place to display these finds. Give us something to boast about like Chester and York!
Alison, Wigan
17/05/2005 at 22:35

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