And this object is ...........

A lunchtime visit to an archaeological dig.

Large developments often have archaeological conditions attached to them, requiring developers to undertake investigations before work starts on site.

The community at Charlestown in Salford have been awaiting the major redevelopment of the area for years, and developer Keepmoat are due to start soon. So the archaeological work here at what is known as Douglas Green is about recording.

In archaeological terms, this is a fascinating place. The remains of Pendleton Old Hall are here - a medieval house subsequently redeveloped through the tudor period and subsequent centuries, it ended up being purchased by Salford Corporation in the late 19th century and became public reading rooms until demolished after 1918.

Nearby was a Cornmill (which is why the weir across the Irwell was created here). And then later a cotton mill and a bleach works.

The cotton mill was the biggest in Greater Manchester - and maybe the world - when it was built in the 1790's. The owner was infamous - William Douglas, known locally as "Black" Douglas. He took orphaned and destitute children from across the country, and put them to work in his Mill. The conditions were awful, many of the children were wrecked by the work. The Mill became known locally as the "Cripple Factory".

The blip is one of the finds - they are a fascinating record of the social history of the area. This one is thought to be the base of a woman's parasol, made out of carved antler bone. The extra is a general picture of part of of the dig.