Factory lying under Centenary Square

May 2 2008 By Neil Elkes

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered the remains of a Victorian metal work factory and canal beneath Centenary Square. The excavations on the car park next the Birmingham Rep Theatre have also revealed a section of canal.

Two hundred years ago the area was a maze of waterways and foundries as Birmingham earned its reputation as the workshop of the world.

But in two years the site is set to be redeveloped as the new £193 million Library of Birmingham and this is the last chance for archaeologists to study the site.

City leaders were keen to get the dig under way to ensure that there was nothing of historic merit underneath which could hold up the library construction.

Library director Brian Gambles said: "We want to make sure there are no 11th hour surprises so were are doing this now."

Four long trenches, up to a four metres deep, have revealed the housings for massive steam engines, the base of a massive chimney and the arm of the canal.

Chris Hewitson, of Birmingham Archaeology, said: "We did some research before digging and found this has been a union rolling mill since 1820, a place where brass tubes and wire was manufactured."

The visible evidence has certainly backed up that research and now they will start filling in and restoring the car park. It will next be exposed when full library construction begins late in 2010.