SMART Archaeology

SMART Archaeology A voluntary archaeology group based in Cheadle, Stockport supporting education and preservation of heritage in the Manchester area

For the education and preservation of heritage in Manchester!

One of the best things (and there are many) about volunteering in archaeology is working close to nature. Today we were ...
04/05/2026

One of the best things (and there are many) about volunteering in archaeology is working close to nature.

Today we were kept company by an inquisitive robin who knew our spoil heap contained tasty snacks of the worm and grub variety!

We heard beautiful bird song and had lots of furry visitors in the form of friendly local dogs.

On the river nearby a pair of ducks went about their daily business.

As well as the positives of being in nature, archaeology has so many other benefits - bringing people together in a fun and sociable activity, learning new skills in a relaxed environment, discovering what lies beneath the surface and the satisfaction of knowing your work has added to the known history of the site.

Just some of the finds from our dig at Higher Mill in Cheadle - you can see glass, a range of pottery and a stoneware ja...
04/05/2026

Just some of the finds from our dig at Higher Mill in Cheadle - you can see glass, a range of pottery and a stoneware jar.

Who were the people that owned these items?
Was any of the pottery kept for “Sunday best”?

Everyday items broken and discarded, yet to us, many years later, so useful to give us clues about people’s way of life and standards of living.

We uncovered a range of features today - a compacted surface, a wall with other features next to it, a cobbled area and ...
04/05/2026

We uncovered a range of features today - a compacted surface, a wall with other features next to it, a cobbled area and more of the path that runs beside the site.

That’s the end of our exploratory test pitting at Higher Mill in Cheadle but the work continues behind the scenes to process the finds and collate the official report, bringing together many measurements, drawings and photographs to add to the fascinating history of this site.


All credit to Margaret and Roger for their great work in uncovering a corner of the Higher Mill this morning.
04/05/2026

All credit to Margaret and Roger for their great work in uncovering a corner of the Higher Mill this morning.

Look how far this path extends when you trowelIt back. Nearly four metres and we’re not at the edge yet! A good mornings...
04/05/2026

Look how far this path extends when you trowel
It back. Nearly four metres and we’re not at the edge yet!
A good mornings work on our dig.

We’re underway for our last day at Higher Mill in Cheadle - features are starting to emerge already. Here’s hoping the r...
04/05/2026

We’re underway for our last day at Higher Mill in Cheadle - features are starting to emerge already.

Here’s hoping the rain stays off!

You’re welcome to come and see us - just be aware of uneven paths etc and stay behind the orange fencing for your safety.

Our thanks go to John Piprani for his fascinating talk this week on the skills and experience that go into making a flin...
01/05/2026

Our thanks go to John Piprani for his fascinating talk this week on the skills and experience that go into making a flint handaxe.

John’s talk marked the end of our successful Winter Talks programme where we’ve enjoyed hearing from a range of experts on subjects from the history of Cheadle to burial practices through the ages and lots in between!

We’re now moving into our Summer Programme of events and activities.

This bank holiday weekend we’ll be continuing investigations at the site of Higher Mill in Cheadle.

Visitors are welcome - you’ll be able to see archaeology in action and ask those questions you’ve always wanted to ask!
For your safety please stay behind the site fencing and be aware of trip hazards in and around the site - holes, tree roots, uneven paths etc.

Pictures below show just some of our discoveries last year at Higher Mill.
What will we find this year? We’ve got just three days to find out!

STOP PRESS!This Thursday sees the next in our series of Winter Talks. We've had a change of guest speaker but it still p...
27/04/2026

STOP PRESS!
This Thursday sees the next in our series of Winter Talks. We've had a change of guest speaker but it still promises to be an excellent talk - will you be joining us?

SMART talk Thursday 30th April 2026 at Cheadle Library, 23 Ashfield Road, Cheadle, SK8 1BB.

Short group meeting at 7.00pm, followed by a talk by John Piprani, Archaeology Technician at Manchester University and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Chester.

John has a particular interest in the making of stone tools in the past and present and the title of his presentation is “The process of making a handaxe: we are all hunter gatherers now".

All welcome. Members £1, non-members £3.
Tea, coffee and biscuits.

The room is at the rear of the building and can be reached by following the path to the right of the front door. The talk will begin at 7.20pm.
When you arrive please sign in and place your fee in the dish.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

The Big Question! We found this on our dig this weekend - can anyone tell us what it might be? No guesses please, we’d r...
19/04/2026

The Big Question!

We found this on our dig this weekend - can anyone tell us what it might be?

No guesses please, we’d really like to identify it.
Photos below of it from both sides. It’s metal.

We’ve had a positive weekend at our Cheadle dig, locating the wall of an eighteenth/ nineteenth century house plus a dep...
19/04/2026

We’ve had a positive weekend at our Cheadle dig, locating the wall of an eighteenth/ nineteenth century house plus a deposit that appears to date to the eighteenth century.
Huge thanks to all of our volunteers who have worked hard this weekend.

Address

Manchester
SK81BB

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SMART Archaeology posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to SMART Archaeology:

Shortcuts

Share

Category