1700's quayside uncovered in Peel

Foundations of a quayside dating back to at least the 1700's have been unearthed in Peel.

The stone formations were discovered during infrastructure works by Manx utilities which has seen small sections of the promenade and East Quay closed over several weeks.

The old harbour walls are built of the red sandstone found at the end of the bay, unlike the more recent harbour works which are for the most part constructed from rock from the many quarries on Peel Hill.

Manx National Heritage archaeologist and Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Andy Johnson, says: "Old maps from the 18th century show a very different scene in Peel harbour to what we see today.

"Manx Utilities’ underground radar surveys and test-pits helped to identify where these structures still survive, and the course of the new pipework has been threaded through so as to minimise damage as much as possible.

"The most substantial structures are the old harbour walls, and one of these protruded so far into the excavation that it couldn’t be avoided – but it meant we got to see it for the first time in about two centuries!"