Merseyside Archaeological Society
Merseyside Archaeological Society Journal
The society has published a journal since 1977. It contains reports on local excavations, conference proceedings and discussion papers. Paid-up members are entitled to a copy of the current journal free of charge.
We welcome articles about the archaeology of Merseyside from professional and amateur archaeologists. If you are interested in contributing please contact the editor. The following notes on style and layout will help with your article.
We welcome articles about the archaeology of Merseyside from professional and amateur archaeologists. If you are interested in contributing please contact the editor. The following notes on style and layout will help with your article.
| Style and Layout for Contributing Authors |
The papers themselves may be individually downloaded below.
Volume 1 - 1977
| JMAS Vol. 1 - Cover and Contents |
| Formation of the Merseyside Archaeological Society - D.E.M. Morgan |
| Moated Site at Halewood - Margaret Warhurst |
| Excavations at Wavertree, March 1976 - Gill Chitty |
| South Castle Street 1976: Interim Report - Peter Davey |
| Graveyard Survey, St Mary's, Birkenhead - Gill Chitty |
| Ancient Meols: A Collection of Finds from the Cheshire Shore in Merseyside County Museum - Gill Chitty |
| St Catherine's Chapel, Lydiate - Dorothy O'Hanlon |
Volume 2 - 1978
| JMAS Vol. 2 - Cover and Contents |
| Wirral Rural Fringes Survey - Gill Chitty |
| Early Settlement on the North Wirral Coastal Area - Ray Kenna |
| Bromborough Manor Houses - K. Jones |
| Irby Mill Excavations 1979 - Gill Chitty |
| Irby Mill Figure 3 |
| Bromborough Court House Moated Site Excavations 1979 - David Freke |
| Sefton Old Hall, Merseyside, Excavations 1956-61 - Jennifer Lewis |
| An Abandoned Church at Formby - Jennifer Lewis |
| Some Examples of Coarse Earthenware from Rainford - P.J. Davey and D.E.M. Morgan |
| Medieval Pottery from St. Anne's Well - P.J. Davey |
| Bromborough Court House - A Further Note - Gill Chitty |
| Aerial Photography Aiding Landscape Studies on Merseyside - Brian Sheppard |
| Towards an Understanding of the Environmental History of Merseyside - Brian Sheppard, Philippa Tomlinson and Jim Innes |
Volume 3 - 1979 (published 1983)
| JMAS Vol. 3 - Cover and Contents |
| Farming on a south Lancashire estate 1066-1795: evidence from Speke Hall - Susan Nicholson |
| Speke Hall Moat - Susan Nicholson |
| Coastal Change and Early Settlement on the North Wirral - 2 - Ray Kenna |
| St Ann's Well, Sutton, St Helens - W. Highcock |
Volume 4 - 1980-81 (published 1984)
| JMAS Vol. 4 - Cover and Contents |
| Excavations in South Castle Street, Liverpool 1976 and 1977 - P.J. Davey and R. McNeil |
Volume 5 - 1982-83 (published 1989)
| JMAS Vol. 5 - Cover and Contents |
| Archaeological Research in Prescot 1978-1986 - P.J. Davey |
| Observations on the site of the Moss Pottery, Prescot, 1978 (Site 1) - P.J. Davey |
| Pollen Analysis from Warrington Road, Prescot (Peat Sample - Site 3) - P.R. Tomlinson and J.B. Innes |
| Excavations at Prescot, December 1980-January 1981 (Sites A-E) - R. Holgate |
| Observations at 82, Eccleston Street, 1980 (Site 2) - D.J. Freke |
| Observations during landscape work at High Street (Sites 3 and 4) and Church Street (Site 5), 1981 - D.J. Freke and R. Holgate |
| A Timber Framed Building at 21-23 Eccleston Street, Prescot (Site 30) - R.W. Cowell and G.S. Chitty |
| 44-50 Derby Street, Prescot, Merseyside (Site 5) - M. Hollis |
| Sampling Excavations in Prescot, 1983-84 (Sites 6-26) - R.A. Philpott and P.J. Davey |
| Excavation of an Eighteenth Century Pottery in Eccleston Street, Prescot (Site F) - R. McNeil |
| Pottery from High Street, Prescot 1986 (Site 27) - R.A. Philpott |
| Pottery from Twist's House, Prescot (Site 28) - C. Cresswell and P.J. Davey |
| Pottery Production in Prescot - P.J. Davey |
| Prescot and its Archaeology - R.A. Philpott |
Volume 6 - 1984-85 (published 1990)
| JMAS Vol. 6 - Cover and Contents |
| Excavations at St. Catherine's Chapel, Lydiate, 1979-80 - Jennifer Lewis and Dorothy O'Hanlon |
| Considerations relevant to the dating of the Ireland chapel at Lydiate - A. D'Arcy |
| Excavations at Lydiate Hall, 1981-1982 - Jennifer Lewis and John Samuels |
| Dendrochronological study of timbers from Lydiate Hall - P.A. Leggett and M.K. Hughes |
| Building survey at the Scoth Poper Inn, 1985 - Jennifer Lewis |
| Dendrochronological study of timbers from the Scoth Piper Inn, 1985 - P.A. Leggett |
Volume 7 - 1986-87 (published 1991)
| JMAS Vol. 7 - Cover and Contents |
| Environmental archaeology in Merseyside - J.B. Innes and P.R. Tomlinson |
| The prehistory of Merseyside - R.W. Cowell |
| Merseyside in the Roman period - R.A. Philpott |
| Dark Age Merseyside - D.M. O'Hanlon |
| Medieval landscapes and estates - J.M. Lewis |
| Medieval towns of Merseyside - R.A. Philpott |
| Merseyside: the post-Roman pottery - P.J. Davey |
Volume 8 - 1988-89 (published 1992)
| JMAS Vol. 8 - Cover and Contents |
| Excavation and survey at the Old Hutt, Halewood, in 1960 - Stuart Wrathmell |
| Speke Hall: Excavations in the west range, 1981-82 - D.A. Higgins |
| Speke Hall: Excavations in the gardeners' compound, 1987 - P.J. Davey and J. Speakman |
| Speke Hall: Archaeology of the east courtyard, 1989 - Jennifer Lewis |
| Pottery from the Grimescar kiln site, Huddersfield - The Reverend E.S. Pickup |
| An inscription at Thurstaston - John Evans |
Volume 9 - 1990-91 (published 1995)
| JMAS Vol. 9 - Cover and Contents |
| Excavations at the c1600 Bickerstaffe glasshouse, Lancashire - Ruth Hurst Vose |
| Some Neolithic and Bronze Age finds from Merseyside and the north west - R.W. Cowell |
| Functional determination of projectile point usage in Mesolithic Greasby - Shirley Ying Crompton |
| Radiocarbon dates from Warrington Road, Prescot - Jim Innes and Philippa Tomlinson |
| A 13th century deed describing the boundaries of the township of Bold, St Helens - Mandy North |
| The site of Overchurch, Upton, Wirral: a survey - D. O'Hanlon and K. Pealin |
| Cross-bearing grave slabs in Merseyside - Charles Williams |
| Bridge End, Birkenhead - Jim O'Neil |
| An inscription at Thurstaston Hill - Jim O'Neil |
| An inscription at Thurstatston Hill: A rejoinder to O'Neil's note - John Evans |
| JMAS Vol. 9 - Reviews |
Volume 10 - 2000
| JMAS Vol. 10 - Cover and Contents |
| Flint and chert availability in Mesolithic Wirral - Christine Longworth |
| Observations on the Wilderspool to Wigan Roman Road in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, 1985-1995 - Robert Philpott, with a contribution by Ron Cowell |
| Excavation and survey at Newton Mill, Newton-le-Willows, 1985 - Robert Philpott and Rowena Lawrence |
| Dowsing, an applied science? Two experiments into the dowsing phenomenon - William Highcock |
| A Roman Bronze from Cronton, Merseyside - Glenys Lloyd-Morgan |
| St. Cuthbert's Church, Halsall - Christine Longworth |
| Remains of a timber-framed building at Howards Farm, Eccleston, St Helens - Robert Philpott |
| Greasby village crosses - J.T. O'Neil |
| Radiocarbon dating and palaeoecology of the intertidal lower peat and forest bed at Dove Point, Meols, Wirral - J.B. Innes, R.J. Nelms and P.R. Tomlinson |
Volume 11 - 2002
The Archaeology of a Changing Landscape: The Last Thousand Years in Merseyside
| JMAS Vol. 11 - Cover and Contents |
| Introduction - Jennifer Lewis and Ron Cowell |
| Sefton Rural Fringes - Jennifer Lewis |
| Liverpool Urban Fringes - Ron Cowell |
| Knowsley Rural Fringes - Ron Cowell |
| St Helens Rural Fringes - Gill Chitty. Edited by Jennifer Lewis |
| Industry and Agriculture in Eccleston, 1600-1750 - Gerardine Glynn and Frances Meredith |
| JMAS Vol. 11 - Index and Back Cover |
Volume 12 - 2008
| JMAS Vol. 12 - Cover and Contents |
| The Merseyside Archaeological Society: A review of the first twenty five years - P.J. Davey |
| A Paleoenvironmental Overview of the Merseyside Area - J. B. Innes and P. R. Tomlinson |
| Roman Merseyside: Twenty five years on - R. A. Philpott |
| Merseyside in the Dark Ages - B. J. N. Edwards |
| Medieval Settlement in Merseyside - R. A. Philpott |
| A Quarter Century of Archaeology on Merseyside - Summary - M. Warhurst |
| The Archaeology of Merseyside 1500-1750 - An Historical Overview - A. Crosby |
| Early Industries in the Merseyside Region - C. M. Longworth |
| The Glass Industry in Merseyside and its environs, 1500 – 1750 - R. H. Vose |
| Merseyside Clay Tobacco Pipes, c1600-1750 - D. A. Higgins |
| Merseyside: the archaeological evidence for trade, 1500-1750 - P. J. Davey |
| The Archaeology of Merseyside, 1500 to 1750 - Summary -S. J. Farr |
Volume 13 - 2010
| JMAS Vol. 13 - Cover and Contents |
| Excavations at Southworth Hall Farm, near Winwick, North Cheshire and the Neolithic and Bronze Age Regional Background - R. W. Cowell |
| Recording images old and new on the Calderstones in Liverpool - G. H. Nash and A. Stanford |
| An analysis of three 19th-century pictures of the Calderstones - B. M. Faulkner |
| A discussion regarding the prehistoric origins of Calderstones Park - D.J. Roberts |
| Art in this world and art for the underworld: an appraisal of the later prehistoric menhir of Robin Hood’s Stone, Allerton, Liverpool - G.H. Nash |
| Possible use of logboats in the area between Ince Blundell and Formby in the early Bronze Age (c. 1600 BC) - R. E. James |
Volume 14 - 2012
A Yeoman Farm in St Helens: Excavations at Big Lea Green Farm, Sutton, 2002, by A. C. Towle and J. I. Speakman
In 2002, the construction of a regional distribution centre by Somerfield plc provided an opportunity for archaeologists from National Museums Liverpool to excavate a late medieval and post-medieval site at Big Lea Green Farm in St. Helens, Merseyside. Documentary evidence indicates that the site was occupied during the 17th century by Bryan Lea, ‘yeoman of Sutton’. Further evidence suggests that the site corresponds to lands held by Thurstan de Standish in the 14th century.
The archaeological excavation produced finds from a number of periods including pottery dating from the 13th century. Investigations revealed that a large stone-built cellared farmhouse, barns and coach house had been built in 17th century and then rebuilt in the 19th century before the house was badly damaged by German bombing in September 1940.
Regionally significant groups of post-medieval pottery and clay tobacco pipes, in addition to horn, bone and environmental material, were recovered and analysed.
The archaeological excavation produced finds from a number of periods including pottery dating from the 13th century. Investigations revealed that a large stone-built cellared farmhouse, barns and coach house had been built in 17th century and then rebuilt in the 19th century before the house was badly damaged by German bombing in September 1940.
Regionally significant groups of post-medieval pottery and clay tobacco pipes, in addition to horn, bone and environmental material, were recovered and analysed.
| JMAS Vol. 14 |
Volume 15 - 2015
This volume contains five papers relating to various archaeological projects carried out on Merseyside.
Over half the journal is dedicated to three reports on historical and archaeological research at the National Trust's property at Speke Hall near Liverpool. Between 1977 and 1989 the Hall itself was subject to a substantial, phased programme of repair during which time the opportunity was taken to make a detailed study of its structure. More recently, an evaluation was carried out of the redundant buildings at the late 19th century Home Farm. This was followed by further investigations in 2009 when an opportunity arose for limited investigation into the evidence for the earlier Home Farm, demolished in the late 19th century.
Two further papers describe the discovery of ancient buildings in contrasting areas of Merseyside. A project at Meadow Lane, West Derby, Liverpool, adjacent to the site of the former West Derby Castle revealed evidence of a medieval structure and other remains. An excavation at Millfield Lane near Ashton-in-Makerfield provided a rare glimpse of the living conditions of a small 17th to early 19th century rural household.
Over half the journal is dedicated to three reports on historical and archaeological research at the National Trust's property at Speke Hall near Liverpool. Between 1977 and 1989 the Hall itself was subject to a substantial, phased programme of repair during which time the opportunity was taken to make a detailed study of its structure. More recently, an evaluation was carried out of the redundant buildings at the late 19th century Home Farm. This was followed by further investigations in 2009 when an opportunity arose for limited investigation into the evidence for the earlier Home Farm, demolished in the late 19th century.
Two further papers describe the discovery of ancient buildings in contrasting areas of Merseyside. A project at Meadow Lane, West Derby, Liverpool, adjacent to the site of the former West Derby Castle revealed evidence of a medieval structure and other remains. An excavation at Millfield Lane near Ashton-in-Makerfield provided a rare glimpse of the living conditions of a small 17th to early 19th century rural household.
Cost: £10 (plus £4 P&P if ordered from the Publications Secretary)
Volume 16 - 2021
The Journal of the Merseyside Archaeological Society volume 16 contains five papers reporting on the results of archaeological work carried out on Merseyside since 1997.
An excavation at Mark Rake Bromborough has added to our knowledge of Neolithic, Bronze Age and early medieval Wirral. Work at Hilary Breck, Wallasey produced the remains of an early medieval grain processing oven. A third excavation at St. Chad’s Vicarage in Kirkby revealed a settlement site dated to the Bronze Age period. This edition also includes the first instalment of a series of two reports which will be continued in future issues. The first article relates to key archaeological finds made on Merseyside which have been reported to the Portable Antiquities
scheme hosted by National Museums Liverpool. There is also a summary of the archaeological work carried out as part of the planning system in Merseyside, working to advice provided by Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service.
An excavation at Mark Rake Bromborough has added to our knowledge of Neolithic, Bronze Age and early medieval Wirral. Work at Hilary Breck, Wallasey produced the remains of an early medieval grain processing oven. A third excavation at St. Chad’s Vicarage in Kirkby revealed a settlement site dated to the Bronze Age period. This edition also includes the first instalment of a series of two reports which will be continued in future issues. The first article relates to key archaeological finds made on Merseyside which have been reported to the Portable Antiquities
scheme hosted by National Museums Liverpool. There is also a summary of the archaeological work carried out as part of the planning system in Merseyside, working to advice provided by Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service.
Cost: £12 (plus £4 P&P if ordered from the Publications Secretary)
Volume 17 - 2024
Volume 17 contains seven papers. An excavation at Dale Hall found evidence of the prehistoric period and has important lessons for approaches to commercial evaluations in relation to identifying such ephemeral remains. A consideration of salt making looks at evidence from Merseyside and Lancashire, identifying potential sites and considering why more evidence has not been found to date. Two old finds are re-examined, looking at reports of log boats found in Wirral, one in the mid 19th century and another in the mid 20th century. The results of an excavation and building recording work at the former Stork Inn, Billinge reveal a 17th century farm that became a 19th century public house. An excavation at Oakes Street, Liverpool found court housing and a large volume of late 19th and early 20th century finds from this slum. An exchange of letters in the Guardian newspaper prompted a review of the lock-ups in 18th and 19th century Merseyside and their role, or lack of one, in relation to the slave trade. Finally, an assemblage of pipe and pottery making waste was found during work in Rainford.
Cost: £15 (plus £4 P&P if ordered from the Publications Secretary)
Cost: £15 (plus £4 P&P if ordered from the Publications Secretary)