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Thread: New Williamson Tunnel Found!

  1. #1
    Senior Member fortinian's Avatar
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    Default New Williamson Tunnel Found!

    http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk/view.php?page=news





    The archaeological survey of the construction site in front of the Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre has uncovered the remains of a previously unknown tunnel.

    The new find clearly shows the 'composite' style of arch construction also used by Williamson in the construction of the Triple Decker branch inside the Heritage Centre.

    Unfortunately the tunnel was badly damaged sometime in the past, probably in the late 1860s when the Corporation Central Stables was built on Williamson's former work yard. The survey also uncovered some of the foundations of the former stable buildings which were demolished in 2000.




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    Came fourth...now what? Oudeis's Avatar
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    The archaeologist's lament...

    "There I was walking along minding my own business when, all of a sudden...the ground just opened-up and swallowed me..."

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    Senior Member John Doh's Avatar
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    Could it be that the lack of publicity is not unrelated to the fact that certain property developers have plans for the land on which the stables stood...

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    Creator & Administrator Kev's Avatar
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    Excellent views, cheers for the update :-)

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  5. #5
    Senior Member fortinian's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by John Doh View Post
    Could it be that the lack of publicity is not unrelated to the fact that certain property developers have plans for the land on which the stables stood...
    If you read about it the fact that the archeolgical dig is being carried out is because of the property development. I quote from the Friends of Williamsons Tunnels website:

    "The formal archaeological dig has been carried out by Oxford Archaeology North who previously worked on the Williamson graveyard site. It is a prerequisite of a developer's planning application to build a row of buildings on the area, fronting onto Smithdown Lane."
    This is surely an instance of a developer acting WELL and conducting a full archeological survey rather than just ploughing ahead with development, irrespective of the history of the area.

    I get upset as much as anybody that our heritage can be all too easily bulldozed, developers are easy targets to direct wrath at in these situations - but without this development this new tunnel may never have been found and certainly wouldn't have had PROPER archeologists investigating and reporting on the site.

    Oh... and for Oudeis...

    Definition of an archeologist: Someone who's career is in ruins.

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    Came fourth...now what? Oudeis's Avatar
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    I am sure there have been laws requiring developers to notify the archaeologists of any finds. I an sure also that here and there a close eye kept of excavations, but in the seventies I worked on building sites in the City of London around the time the Nat West tower was built and wells or other finds were hushed-up. All I got were a few chin-warmers; white clay pipes.
    It is good to know that someone is on the ball.

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    Senior Member John Doh's Avatar
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    Yes, I don't think the fact that they've followed the rules precludes the possibility that they were not prepared for the extent of the subsequent disruption to their building operation. There have been, as Oudeis points out, plenty of other examples of finds being unaccountably 'lost' again...

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    Senior Member fortinian's Avatar
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    Well this one is right in front of the Tunnels Heritage Centre... i'm sure it'll be hard for them to "loose" this one with all the enthusiasts gawping. I'll try and get down there and get my own pictures tomorrow.


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