The most recent archaeological dig in Wirksworth uncovered a late Saxon croft cottage in the Meadow Croft field, with finds covering many periods in and around the site, which shone a light on a little known age in the story of Wirksworth
This section provides the most recent progress report on the dig which the Society is currently doing
The Mercian kingdom was known to have a number of component groups. One of these was the Pecsaete, that is the people of the Peak District. Tom Hough, in this dissertation for Oxford University, explores what we currently know of the origins and continuation of this people.
Lead mining and smelting were the major industries of the Roman and Mercian Peak District, with Wirksworth - Roman Lutudarum - as the main town and centre of the lead industry.
This database, which is updated every year, contains a detailed list of the main Roman lead ingot finds in and around the UK, both historic and modern. The database is kept by the Society
The Roman Peak District had an extensive road network which served its main centres including Lutudarum (Wirksworth), Aque Arnemetia (Buxton), Navio (Brough on Noe) and others.
The river Derwent is considered to be navigable as far as Little Eaton near Derby and work on the historic features of the river suggest it was navigable as far as Cromford in ancient times, in certain seasons of the year.
The Portway has the characteristics of, in origin, being a Roman road leading from the fort at Little Chester to the fort at Brough on Noe via Milford, Wirksworth, Alport and Bakewell.
During archaeological investigations related to the construction of the reservoir at Carsington near Wirksworth, a Roman farmstead was discovered - a small villa with a bath house.
This is a summary of those finds identified within Wirksworth town and the immediate surrounding area of coins and other small metal finds such as brooches