VOLUNTEERS uncovered a little piece of history as they took part in an archaeological dig on Walney.
On Saturday, residents from across the area headed off to a secluded path on Walney to discover what secrets lay hidden underground.
Conservationists have unearthed a historic road in a field opposite Walney fire station.
Jake Fleming, 11, and Aidan Williams, 9, from Walney, are getting their hands dirty on the dig The road was happened upon when a research organisation, Art Gene, launched a project to create a community allotment with a difference.
Art Gene is aiming to create a lasting legacy for future generations by building a new allotment area with an artistic twist but have stumbled across a fascinating find from our ancestors in the process.
Karen Mason, an archaeologist on the site, is excited by the find.
She said: "This road first appears on the map in 1850 but was already long established by this date although we still don't know exactly how old it is.
"We believe it would have been used as a track to the freshwater pond just behind which would have been used by farmers as it is one of just a few freshwater supplies on the island."
Ms Mason, who lives near Broughton, is delighted to be involved and says Walney is a mine of historical secrets.
She said: "It's exciting to be teaching a group of volunteers about a new part of Walney that hasn't been touched before archaeologically.
"Walney has got everything from the neolithic age right up to the RAF huts in the Second World War.
"We could find anything here."
Nick Owen, project manager for Art Gene's Allotment Soup Project, is also enchanted by the mystery of the dig.
He said: "It's exciting. We've done a lot of research but we still don't know what we're looking at and we never know what to expect.
"It surprises us every time we look down."
Mr Owen is determined to keep the project in the hands of the residents and believes this hidden gem from years gone by is the key to unlocking that community spirit.
He said: "It's fascinating. It's not just the stuff we find under ground but it's the stories in people's heads.
"It opens up local history and heritage and that's what is so powerful about it."
People of all ages are invited to take part in the dig which takes place every other Saturday.
Read more about Art Gene:
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