Description

In September 2005 an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Channel 4’s Time Team in the Shudehill area of Manchester (centred on NGR 398984 384390) to investigate the site of Richard Arkwright’s first cotton mill. The evaluation took place within what is currently an NCP car park and comprised five trenches.
The primary aim of the evaluation was to identify the position of the original mill and the different phases of building and alterations which occurred during its lifetime, and to establish the position of major features such as the mill wheel pit. The project also aimed to investigate the nature of the housing which existed along the south side of Angel Street to the north of the mill building.
The evaluation successfully located the main mill building and enabled the identification of features associated with the original 1780-82 construction by Richard Arkwright. A further five phases of alterations were identified, associated with the introduction of new technologies, the replacement of failed machinery with old tried and tested methods, and rebuilding following a devastating fire in 1854. The final phase was associated with the use of the mill prior to its destruction during the Blitz in 1940.