Who We Are
We are a local archaeology group, established in 2001, with the aim of identifying and recording the historic elements within the area of Dacre Pasture, an ancient common grazing ground in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire. Ultimately, we will make this information publicly available, and place it in national archives.
The group has around 30 members of all ages and backgrounds, and from varied professions. We take our professional guidance from Kevin Cale, a local Community Archaeologist, and are funded by a grant from the Local Heritage Initiative. We also have links with the WEA, The Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and others.
How We Work
We take a non-destructive approach to practicing archaeology. This means that we obtain information from modern and historic local maps, aerial photographs and, most importantly, walking the ground and collecting data on site. On the other hand, we do not use invasive methods such as excavation.
A big advantage of this approach is that it is open to people with little or no practical archaeological experience. All it needs is an enthusiastic interest in the subject, a keen eye, and the willingness to tramp fields in the pouring rain!
A New Cup and Ring Marked Stone
As an example of our work, members were recently surveying a field in the study area, and discovered a previously unrecorded cup and ring marked stone. In the adjoining picture, taken by Fiona Robson, the patterns are well defined.
These ancient carved stones are found in various places in the North of England and several others were already known in the Dacre area. Their purpose and significance is unknown, although theories abound, but they provide a real and very direct link with our ancient ancestors.
Evidence of Ancient Dwellings
As well as the cup and ring marked stones, there is also good evidence of early occupation dating back to at least the Iron Age. We have found the clear remains of hut circles in several locations in the study area, with tantalising hints of further remains that we have still to investigate in detail.
Mediaeval Iron Working
Although the area that we are considering is now farmland, it has not always been so. We have found a great deal of evidence of industrial activity on the site, including water management, quarrying and, especially, iron working.
There are many signs of this, from disused mine shafts, to kiln sites, to the site of a Smelt Mill dating from at least the 17th Century. The photograph on the right shows members measuring the remains of an ancient Stack Furnace.
News
The Group is currently displaying its work at the summer exhibition in the Nidderdale Museum in Pateley Bridge. See the linked News page for more information.
Contacts
For more information about the Group, please contact the group’s Chairman, Jerry Hooper (01423 780335), or the vice-Chairman, Earl Hintze (01423 780444). Alternatively, why not come along and meet the team at one of our regular Wednesday evening sessions, held in the United Reformed Church Schoolroom, Dacre?
