Dear List,
Having cleaned up one of the cast iron rings which held the wooden water pipe outlet from the mill pond, we are seeking assistance through analysis to try to determine the type of iron used and some understanding of the smithing techniques used to produce them.
The rings are 12 inches in internal diameter and spaced at 18 inches apart. Although the wood has completely decayed away, its imprint can be seen in the oxidization on the inside of the rings.
Recent research has now determined that prior to the site being used as a fulling mill and mill pond, the pond was used as a retting pool for hemp and the site housed a hemp mill of 14/15c date - possibly monastic.
If you can assist with an analysis of the iron rings we would be pleased to hear from you. However, the excavations are a voluntary community initiative so there is little money to part with.
Photographs of the rings can be viewed at the URL below. Click on the XML box on the first page, or travel to '2008 - Winter Work' via the Quick Link Site Map.
Kindest regards,
Trevor
http://www.cmsmrps.org.uk - a community archaeology initiative.
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