Time Team Excavation Site Merton (London)

 interesting place, invisible

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This is Merton, deep in the suburban sprawl of South-West London.

But 125 years ago, it was the very centre of a revolutionary movement that transformed manufacture and design in this country forever.

Right here, on the banks of the River Wandle, the leading lights of the arts and crafts movement established their factories.

Down there, William Maurice built his workshop, and here under these concrete slabs and paving stones is what we’re looking for.

The remains of the print works where Arthur Liberty, the founder of the famous department store, produced fancy silks for Victorian high society.

The original fifteen or so brick and weatherboard buildings have been lost for a hundred years and we’ve got just three days to