SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Not sure if this is the right forum - don't see any for Leeds archaeology.I was intrigued to see the bones of the hippopotamus discovered in Leeds now on display in Leeds Museum dating from 130,000 years ago.http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/citylife/anc ... jpMentions that it was discovered in 1851 in Longley's brick field in Wortley where the Armley Gyratory is. Does anyone know the precise location of this field? I’m surprised there is no sign in the area pin-pointing where it (and the bones three other hippos and of an extinct ox and elephant! were discovered.) I live in Wortley and have known for years that the area is covered in thick white clay deposits (as anyone in the area who digs their garden will tell you). Since hippos live in groups I’m sure there must be other discoveries to made of this nature in the area    

well the gyratory is actually a car park for british gas n when u in the car park theres part demolished walls n on the floor u can see the outlines of the rooms that were once there and apparently it was something like a brickworks or sumat in earlier times so maybe this is where ur brickworks used to be

If you think of digging for more bones you could be talking of a depth of twelve feet or more.I am sure there will be nothing of this age just under the surface so you will have a hell of a job on your hands.Good luck with your quest.

I followed the Leeds Hippo down Brigate last week, it went into MacDonalds on the corner adjusting its leggings as it climbed the step.

I remember printing an old Leeds map off the internet a few years ago (can't find it, or the site unfortunately, or recall it's date - poss early 1880s?) but I do remember two brick yards marked on it. One was just west of the gyratory (site of later gas/coke works?) and the other was on Wellington Road. Hope that's of use?    

The brick field to the west of Wellington road is shown (in 1854) at http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapshe ... =275&y=331

Thanks, Chemimike. I think that's the map I had in mind. The area of the gyratory says "brick kilns" so may be part of the same business as the "brick fields" on Wellington Road.

Don't the Leeds Hippos play at Headingley?

anthonydna wrote: I followed the Leeds Hippo down Brigate last week, it went into MacDonalds on the corner adjusting its leggings as it climbed the step. That's funny, as I saw it in Briggate myself. It had a tattoo where its top didn't meet its bottom, and a fag in its mouth (which didn't stop it swearing as it spoke on its mobile.

chemimike wrote: The brick field to the west of Wellington road is shown (in 1854) at http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapshe ... =275&y=331 That's marvellous - thanks for that - It's amazing I used to catch a bus under the railway bridge just beside the round engine house (still there today) before the gyratory was built. What's also interesting is that during heavy rain there is always flooding just underneath the railway bridge. Makes you think that 130,000 years ago there was probably a water filled hollow there as well! Pic from Leodis (pre gyratory) - the field is near top left I think just to the left of the big gasometer http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL