Friday, 11th June
A team from the Museum of Liverpool’s archaeology department are undertaking a dig around The Royal Albert Dock. The dig will focus on land next to the Piermaster’s House in the hope of uncovering artefacts from houses that were destroyed on the site in World War 2.
Due to its tactical importance, the Albert Dock was bombed heavily during the war, resulting in most houses being damaged or destroyed. The remaining houses were eventually demolished, but the dig team hope that they will uncover some interesting artefacts such as personal objects or pottery used by the families that lived there. Vanessa Oakden, regional and community archaeology curator, explains;
“These houses were built for the dock workers, but their families as well, so we’d love to find anything relating to their stories.”
The team undertaking the dig will include volunteers who will work alongside university staff. The dig will take place from 26th June until 30th July on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The area will be fenced off with a mesh fence, but passers-by are encouraged to stop and take a look at what is going on.
The dig is part of a wider waterfront research project which coincides with the 175th anniversary of the opening of the dock by Prince Albert in 1847.
If you want to find out more about the dig and its progress, you can keep up to date on social media using the hashtag #dockhousedig
