Archaeological Finds
The Ackworth Hoard
'the contents of a hoard of Civil War period material from Ackworth, West Yorkshire, reported found on 21 July 2011. The find consists of 591 coins, a gold ring and a piece of leather contained within a pot'
An excerpt from a report, of which further details and a photo of the hoard in situ, can be found on: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ackworth_Hoard_in_situ_(FindID_455695).jpg
.jpg){kind=link}
Other links relating to this amazing find:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ackworth_Hoard_in_situ_(FindID_455695).jpg
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/nov/15/hepworth-wakefield-archaeology
Clay pipe
Fragments of clay pipe found in the garden of a house in Hillside Rd. Although clay pipes had become much less in demand by the time the house was built in the 1930s it could be that these were used by the tenants. Another possibility is that they were "discarded" by someone from the Methodist Chapel on the other side of the boundary wall.
1800s pot
This small Victorian salt glazed stoneware pot was found in a garden in Ackworth.
These pots were commonly used for ink pots or storage jars.
This particular one only has glazing to one side and has what looks like finger imprints on it. Maybe it was a reject or someone’s first attempt of making one.
Roman Glass
Identified by York Museum as Roman Glass, found in garden at Ladywell, High Ackworth.
(available to view in Ackworth Heritage cabinet upstairs in Parish rooms, Bell Lane)
Roman coins
found at Low Green, Low Ackworth.
(available to view in Ackworth Heritage cabinet upstairs in Parish rooms, Bell Lane)
Fossils
found and donated by Harry Miles (Ackworth Heritage photographer)
(available to view in Ackworth Heritage cabinet upstairs in Parish rooms, Bell Lane)
Roman nail
found in Ackworth
(available to view in Ackworth Heritage cabinet upstairs in Parish rooms, Bell Lane)
Silver Penny
This silver penny was found just on the outskirts of Ackworth. It was minted in York in 1280-1281 AD at the time of Edward I (also known as Edward Longshanks) who reigned from 1272 – 1307.
It had probably laid undiscovered in the ground for over 700 years before being dug up in 2019.
Palm Guard
Found in the Moortop area of Ackworth this palm guard dates from between 1600 & 1900 AD. Made from Lead it would have been cast in a shell (most probably a freshwater muscle shell). It was formed to fit into the palm of the hand and would have been used to push a sewing needle through thick cloth or leather. Possible used by a leather worker or even a sail maker/repairer for the boats on the canal.
Victorian Silver Ring
This silver ring was found in a field in Ackworth in 2023. The hallmarks show a lion (silver mark), an anchor (Birmingham) and a date letter (1888) It is quite small so probably belonged to a young girl or child. Maybe they lost it all those years ago helping out in the field with the harvest, pulling peas or picking potatoes. Maybe she lived at the nearby farm. Whatever the circumstance it would no doubt have been a treasured possession and a sad loss.
1832 Turkish Coin
This Turkish coin was found in a garden in Hillside Rd Ackworth. (How did it get there?) One possible answer is that it was brought back as a souvenir by a soldier of the Yorkshire Regiment. The regiment having been sent there in 1915 during the first world war (1914-1918) to fight the Turks.
Stigmaria Root Fossil
This fossil was found by the side of a footpath near to the Ackworth Cricket field.
Stigmaria is a fossilised root from a prehistoric (now extinct) lycopod tree that grew over 300 million years ago. The little round depressions mark where rootlets were once attached, like the bristles of a bottle brush.