A series of evaluation trenches were excavated off Mill Lane in Lincoln in advance of a residential development. The picture above shows the remains of a brick foundation for a mill that was built between 1817 and 1820, and was demolished to make way for housing by 1883. Note a brick mill of similar date in the background that is still standing.

Although the evaluation mainly exposed archaeological deposits associated with the mill and with the later Victorian housing, the most exciting find was a carved bone flute of uncertain date. Although it appears to be broadly early medieval in date, it was found below a layer dated to the Roman period. This is a very exciting find as only one or two examples have previously been found in Lincoln!

***UPDATE*** November 2008

A recent watching brief has been completed on the site, exposing further evidence of Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon activity on the site, as well as exposing components of the 19th century cottages that occupied the site after the demolition of the mill.