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Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Lost North Lanarkshire community rediscovered by archaeologists
The forgotten community of New Orbiston, established in North Lanarkshire in 1825 and abandoned just three years later, is now the focus of an investigation led by Archaeology Scotland. Supported by volunteers, community groups, and school pupils, the project aims to uncover and preserve the remains of the short-lived settlement, which was inspired by the co-operative ideals of Robert Owen's New Lanark. Dr Edward Steward on site with volunteers (Image: Archaeology Scotland) Read more: Fate of historic Glasgow cinema decided after appeal Keiran Manchip, project officer at Archaeology Scotland, said: "We are really happy with our excavation at the Manufactory site of the Orbiston Community (1825-28). "This site has offered us an exciting glimpse into the material culture and architecture of a Utopian community which set out to make a better, fairer, and more equal society." The community was founded by Abram Combe and Archibald Hamilton of Dalzell with support from Owen. By 1826, around 250 people had settled in the community, living in a large accommodation block known as Liberty Hall. Its goal was to build a society based on co-operation, but internal disagreements, financial problems, and Mr Combe's declining health led to its collapse by 1828. Archaeology Scotland has been surveying the sites associated with the community, including the Manufactory and Holm Forge, both long hidden in the undergrowth. These sites, which have never been examined before, will be added to the National Monuments Record for future generations. A small-scale evaluation dig took place in July at the Manufactory to assess the survival of any remaining structures and to begin piecing together the story of New Orbiston. The excavation revealed interior wall faces of the main building and details of construction techniques used in a small annex on the northern side. Archaeology Scotland believes this project holds valuable lessons for contemporary society and hopes to continue its work at the site in the future. The dig site (Image: Archaeology Scotland) Wall profiles showing the construction methods and phasing of the site (Image: Archaeology Scotland) A medieval green glass ceramic cup and a post-medieval pottery sherd found at the site (Image: Archaeology Scotland) Mr Manchip said: "This movement formed during a time of economic and social challenges that mirror challenges we face today, such as technological advances which bring changes to our working lives. "By exploring the archaeology of this community, we can better understand how workers tried to challenge these developments. "This lost story has been uncovered through a programme of surveys and excavations by our team and we'd like to say a massive thank you to the volunteers from across Lanarkshire and the Our Space group and Phoenix Futures for getting involved and creating such a fun environment on-site."
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Archaeology Scotland and volunteers investigate lost North Lanarkshire community
The New Orbiston community was established in 1825 by two men inspired by Robert Owen's success in creating a better system of living and working at the New Lanark mill site. Archaeology Scotland, local volunteers and school pupils have been investigating the lost community of New Orbiston in North Lanarkshire in a first in British archaeology. The New Orbiston community was established in 1825 by two men inspired by Robert Owen's success in creating a better system of living and working at the New Lanark mill site. Abraham Combe and Archibald Hamilton of Dalzell, with the support of Owen, took up the mission of creating a new community based on the principals of co-operation developed at New Lanark. A parcel of picturesque land along the South Calder River was purchased was purchased from Archibald Hamilton's father. There had been a settlement in the area named 'Orbistoun' since at least the 16th century which had developed into the Orbiston Estate in the 18th century and was owned by the Douglas family. The land purchased by the Orbiston community lay to the north of the Orbiston Estate. Construction of 'Liberty Hall' the large accommodation block which housed the apartments began in 1825 and by the following year around 250 people had moved to call Orbiston their home. However, fallings out over the co-operative system and materials and tokens being used instead of monetary wages, Abrahm Combe's illness and financial trouble contributed to the failure of the project by 1828. The archaeological team have started by surveying the sites associated with the community, the manufactory and also the Holm Forge, where buildings are hidden in the undergrowth. These sites have not been surveyed before and it is important they are added to the National Monuments Record so they, and the story of New Orbiston, can be passed onto future generations. The survey was followed by a small-scale evaluation dig at the manufactory in July this year to determine the survival of any archaeological features and to offer a glimpse into the use, phasing and chronology of the building. The excavation revealed the interior wall faces of the main building and detail on the construction methods used in the small annex on the northern side of the building. These sites have never been looked at before by archaeologists and the involvement of the local community in researching, surveying, excavating and telling this story is of vital importance. The Orbiston community did not last long but it set out to achieve a better and fairer set of working and living conditions for all who were part of it. Keiran Manchip, Project Officer, said: 'We are really happy with our excavation at the manufactory site of the Orbiston community (1825-28). 'This site has offered us an exciting glimpse into the material culture and architecture of a Utopian community which set out to make a better, fairer and more equal society. 'This movement formed during a time of economic and social challenges that mirror challenges we face today, such as technological advances which bring changes to our working lives, by exploring the archaeology of this community we can better understand how workers tried to challenge these developments. 'This lost story has been uncovered through a programme of surveys and excavations by our team and we'd like to say a massive thank you to the volunteers from across Lanarkshire and the Our Space group and Phoenix Futures for getting involved and creating such a fun environment on-site.'
