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9 May 2009: Investigations in the
River Dee
 For a long time
we have been interested in the archaeological potential of the River Dee just to
the west of Aldford, bordering the Poulton site. The Cistercian monks
owned a mill at
Aldford, strategically placed to process the grain produced in the outlying
granges (monastic farms) at Churton and Dodleston, as well as the lands around
Poulton. But how did they transport
the grain across the river ? Was there a bridge, or a ferry with
associated piers or jetties ? And was there any evidence remaining of
sluices or other structures for controlling the flow of water ? We
were fortunate to obtain the services of two experienced divers (both somewhat
confusingly called Tony !), who have been investigating the Dee for us.
Although underwater visibility has been poor (just a few inches), today they
have found what appears to be worked timber embedded in the river close to the
bank - perhaps the remains of a jetty or landing stage ? Interestingly,
this is close to the end of a track which approaches the river from Poulton, and
nearly opposite the likely site of the mill. This is a very exciting
discovery which will need further investigation before we can be certain exactly
what it represents.  As
you can appreciate, underwater activity is not particularly photogenic !
But we hope these pictures give you an impression of the divers at work.
By the way, the buoy is to warn boats of the presence of divers.
The
Project is very grateful to Tony & Tony for their assistance in our first
venture into underwater archaeology !
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