Loftus Alum Works, Redcar and Cleveland: an Archaeological and Historical Survey Report
Author(s): Abby Hunt, T Pearson, Phil Sinton, Ann Carter, David Andrews, Nick Beckett, Steve Tovey, Mick Clowes
Between July and September 2003, English Heritage undertook an archaeological investigation and analytical field survey of the disused alum works at Loftus, Cleveland. The investigation was carried out as part of a wider project investigating selected alum sites in North Yorkshire and Cleveland. The site is thought to have operated between the 1650s and 1860s, almost without a break and the various elements of the alum works cover a stretch of coastline approximately 2km long. The alum shales were quarried from high up in the cliffs, with steps created in the cliff face to facilitate this process. The cliff edge was frequently used as a convenient location for the tipping of waste material. The final stages of the alum-making process at Loftus took place in the alum house. It is believed that there were three alum houses at Loftus during the site’s working life. The first alum house is likely to have been at the east end of the site, while the second was further to the west, close to the area of the land known as ‘The Warren’. The third and final alum house, of which fragmentary remains can still be seen today, was situated slightly above beach level at Hummersea Scar. (This was report 2/2004 in a previous series).
- Report Number:
- 88/2004
- Series:
- Other
- Pages:
- 67
