Victorian Market Sites (Douglas, Peel, Ramsey, Castletown)

VICTORIAN DATA: The 1860s OS maps (the first detailed survey of IoM) show market squares, fair grounds, and public gathering places in every major town. These sites hosted weekly markets for centuries. Victorian-era maps available at National Library of Scotland (maps.nls.uk — 6-inch and 25-inch OS maps of IoM from c.1867-1870). WHY: Markets = money changing hands = money dropped. Every week for centuries. The old market squares of Douglas, Peel, Ramsey, and Castletown have deep archaeological potential under the modern surfaces. Where development has left gaps (car parks, gardens, waste ground), detecting can reach the older layers.