Replacing the surface

Protection of the glassworks and other archaeological remains was achieved by first covering them using a layer of "Terram" a black woven material that is permeable (i.e. lets water through) but which provides a physical barrier or membrane separating the archaeology from an overlying backfill of clean red sand.

Anyone excavating in the square in future will thus have a ready made warning in the form of red sand that they are approaching a sensitive area. Sand was used because it is an inert dense material that flows into cavities and will bond the glassworks structures into a compact mass, thus consolidating and protecting them.

The sand was carefully put on top and compacted into the furnace, flue tunnels and other sensitive areas. This was done by hand at first then using a hand operated vibrating machine to achieve a sufficient degree of compaction for the square to then be re-surfaced to a standard that enables its use by vehicles in the future.


Terram Protection		Layer of Sand

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