The month-long dig has seen hundreds of schoolchildren and adult volunteers have joined professional archaeologists from the University of Manchester and Manchester Museum to uncover the mill site next to The Mersey.
 | | Having a go at some 'Dig' art! |
The Open Weekend takes up the final step of the project, offering a host of arts and archaeology activities for all ages, all for absolutely nothing! Highlights include site tours with the archaeologists, the chance to experience 'archaeology in action', exhibitions of finds, story tellers, music, photography and plenty of painting, drawing, pottery, badge-making and T-shirt printing. There’ll also be a Blue Badge Guide on hand to give local history tours of the area and Manchester Museum’s The Museum Comes to You roadshow, which gives the chance to touch and feel real archaeological objects from the museum's collection.
 | | On site at the Northenden dig |
The site was once home to Northenden Mill, demolished in 1966, but archaeologists believe that activity on the site dates back to medieval times. They have been searching for clues to prove this and to reveal the true history of the site. Community archaeologist Simon Askew says there’s plenty of reasons to visit the dig, as the site has been "toying with us, it's not quite what we expected, unusual features have been uncovered which are challenging our previous theories about what exactly went on here long ago. We certainly have a few stories to tell and one or two 'big reveals' for visitors who come along to the Open Weekend." Dig Manchester is a three year project and run as a partnership between the University of Manchester and Manchester City Council. The dig is supported by Northenden Civic Society, Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust and Moston and District Archaeological and Social History. | 
