Jose meets Salford's history

This photo was taken at the back of the Lowry Hotel this lunchtime. Some press around the hotel - the coach carrying the Barcelona team had just arrived (they are playing Manchester City this evening). And Jose Mourinho, manager of Manchester Utd, lives here - he hasn't moved from London, so this is home. Apparently Barcelona in not his favourite Spanish city.

But I was not here for the football, but for the archaeology. Archaeologist's are the canaries in the coal-mine. When they are on site it means the development is going to happen. And this apartment development is commencing soon.

The site has a history. Medieval Salford (the administrative centre for the old Salford Hundred that covered most of present day Greater Manchester) stretched to adjacent Clowes St (lots of quality pottery has been found), but in the 18th century Salford began to expand rapidly with industrialisation. 

The dig is focussed on the famous Salford Twist Mill constructed in 1797. One of the first cotton mills to be powered by a steam engine. The first in the country to be of fireproof construction (many early mills burned down). The first building in the world - 1806 -to be lit be gaslight (up until then candles were used - lots of them). Within 12 months gas lights were erected on adjacent Chapel Street - the first street in the world to be lit by gas. The building became a bonded warehouse in the 1840's, and on Christmas eve 1940 was flattened by incendiary bombing by the Luftwaffe. The archaeologists have found lots of bottles, many filled with liquid. But wine, whisky and brandy heated to 5000 degrees is not really drinkable.

Extra - the front of the Lowry Hotel, and someone with a camera waiting for the fun to begin.