Workshop Of The World: An Industrial Archaeology Of Britain, 1700 1950

This course showcases 21st century research on the Industrial Archaeology of Britain and the physical evidence for the creation of the world’s first industrial society. From Abraham Derby’s coke powered iron furnace in Ironbridge, to Stephenson’s Liverpool to Manchester railway. It will look at the standing remains of this pivotal period in our history. 

Key archaeological digs and sites from industrial cities such as Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Swansea will be used to tell the story of the industries that changed Britain. These include:

textiles, iron processing and engineering, coal, tin and lead mining, canals, railways and ports, and workers’ housing. 

The course will also look at recent work on industrial-period cemeteries which is starting to throw light on the physical consequences of industrialisation to those who lived through this

revolution. It will finish with some thoughts on the legacy of industrialisation, from climate change to presenting industrial heritage.