Site Event/Activity record ECH3977 - Old Mill, Congleton, Cheshire. Archaeological Excavation

An archaeological excavation at Old Mill adjacent to Roldane Mill. The core of this building had comprised a large mid-eighteenth century silk mill, which had been disused since 1997, and at the time of the excavation the mill had just been demolished. An archaeological survey of the standing mill buildings had been undertaken in 2000 (Matrix Archaeology Report No. 200 1-05); this had identified the exact location of the backfilled waterwheel pit, originally constructed as part of the early mill. Also, it was determined that evidence would probably survive for the 1830's beam engine, beneath the concrete floor of the engine house. It was therefore recommended that following demolition, both of these areas should be excavated in order to complete the archaeological record of the building.