EVIDENCE of Otley’s post-Medieval past has been unearthed at a former paper mill site.

Garnett Wharfe, previously Garnett Paper Mill, has links to paper production stretching back nearly 300 years.

But the riverside plot’s history goes back much farther than that, with ancient documents like the Domesday Book containing references, from as early as 1130, to an Otley corn mill occupying the same space.

The site is being redeveloped as a David Wilson Homes housing estate, and archaeologists have been working on-site for months to try to find more clues about the town’s past.

Excavations have uncovered evidence of water wheel pits and systems needed to run the mill, as well as paper and fulling mills for cleaning wool and water culverts allowing water to flow under roads and pathways, dating back to the 17th century.

Material from cloth thought to have been used in luxury paper production on the site hundreds of years ago has also been discovered.

Sales manager for David Wilson Homes at Garnett Wharfe, Stacey Foster, said: “Building on brownfield land can make for some very interesting discoveries, and we hoped we would find some here in Otley.

“The archaeological team has uncovered former culverts that transferred water through the site from the weir to the wheel pits, and then back out to the River Wharfe, which they knew existed from historic maps and the course of these has been traced within the site.

“As well as this, flecks of gold and pins from cloth that may have been used to manufacture high quality paper at the mill centuries ago have also been discovered.

“The team will continue to excavate the site and discussions are currently under way about the best way of preserving what has been found, and how we can display it for future generations to come.”

The investigations are being carried out by CFA Archaeology, working for Prospect Archaeology, David Wilson Homes and Leeds City Council.

The housing developer specifically commissioned the digs to find out if anything of the 18th Century or earlier structures survived.

The finds could end up being displayed in a new visitor centre that is being created to showcase the history of the mill.

As well as 194 new homes, Garnett Wharfe will feature a public piazza, cafe and riverside walks, along with viewing platforms to allow residents and visitors to watch the new hydro-electric turbine set to be installed on Otley weir.

Paper production was moved from Otley to India in 2006.