EXCITING discoveries have been found at Morwellham Quay involving the Tamar Valley?s mining history. Railway lines, two turntables and a cobbled quay were all excavated after a voluntary archeological dig, which Morwellham director Anthony Power described as being for members of the public to ?have-a-go?. The dig was directed by professional archaeologist Robert Waterhouse. Mr Waterhouse said he was extremely pleased with the find, labelling the discoveries as ?unique in the UK?. He said the railway lines and turntables which would have aided the incline railway, powered by a water wheel, to raise and lower wagons onto the Quay, were particularly exciting. He said the two turntables were in differing states of repair. Although one was slightly decayed, the other was extremely well preserved, with the wood still intact. Current concerns are the hot weather and the possibility that the wood could dry out, although the team are currently in contact with conservationists. The experts were particularly excited when it was realised that these may be the only turntables in the UK or World which were part of an incline railway dating back to 1817. Mr Waterhouse said: ?Until today, it wasn?t known what sort of railway ran up the incline.? The turntable is the only one in the UK to serve a lime kiln. Mr Waterhouse said: ?Morwellham was probably the prototype for only four others in the area and is extremely rare.? Relying on other finds, the incline railway may be reconstructed as part of the Tamar Valley Mining Heritage Project to regenerate Morwellham Quay and the Tamar Valley. The archeological site will be open for the public to look at throughout the summer holidays and more excavations are scheduled to take place next year.
