Traces of Medieval Windmills Uncovered in England

CAMBRIDGESHIRE, ENGLAND—BBC News reports that five medieval windmills used for grinding grain were unearthed in the East of England during an investigation conducted ahead of a residential construction project. “They are really cool finds as X really does mark the spot—the main foundation is made up of a cross to make the support for the windmill post,” said archaeologist Christopher Wakefield of the University of Cambridge. The two big pieces of timber making up the X were known as cross trees, he added. Four of the windmills stood at different times between 1300 and 1500. As the wood deteriorated, a new mill would have been built nearby with as much wood salvaged from the old mill as possible. In fact, one of the windmills had been on top of a previous one, indicating that the site was ideally suited for milling, Wakefield explained. “The ridge [they were located on] was one of the highest points in the area and the perfect location for a windmill as they got the maximum amount of wind,” he said. To read about a windmill doodle drawn by a young Isaac Newton, go to "Newtonian Whiteboard."