The John Roles Memorial Lecture: Mining, milling & machinery

This event is held in partnership with the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Association.

In memory of John Roles (1957-2020), head of Leeds Museums & Galleries 2004-2020, the Phil & Lit presents an event focusing on elements of the history of the city.

Archaeologist Dan Waterfall will explain why digging takes place, how the site work comes about and how archaeologists make sense of what they find.

He will illustrate his work with an overview of three excavations carried out by CFA Archaeology at industrial sites in Leeds:

• Remains of coal mine infrastructure at Nursery Pit, excavated at the site of the Logic Leeds distribution centre on the eastern fringes of the city
• The Sovereign Street excavations 2022 looking at the remains of several mills and their goits
• 2023 excavations on the site of the Midland Junction Foundry at Water Lane

Dan will conclude with a summary of what happens once the digging stops, where the information is stored and how it can be retrieved.

This event is free but please book in advance.