Vanessa Oakden & Liz Stewart 
The Archaeology of Merseyside in 20 Digs 

The archaeology of Merseyside is extremely rich and varied. Humans have been modifying the landscape for over 10, 000 years. The river and coast have always been significant to Merseyside. From early village settlements to industrial and port activity in its towns, connected communities have used the natural resources of Merseyside, making this place their home. Teams of archaeologists have been investigating this history since the nineteenth century.‘Above all else archaeology is a social endeavour. We work collectively in the field and labour in the lab to generate new information about the past. The legacy of excavation is not only the knowledge generated, intriguing finds on display in the museum, or the experience of doing it, but the friendships and working relationships established, which endure.’ Andy Towle, archaeologist Twenty sites have been selected to explore the stories of Merseyside’s past from mesolithic to modern, reflecting on lifestyles, settlements, communities, beliefs, and food. The Archaeology of Merseyside in 20 Digs explores the archaeology of the region through the lens of these excavations.