6,000 years of Chatsworth history surveyed

Submitted by PaulM on Sunday, 09 November 2003 Page Views: 2359

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An archaeological survey of a large part of the Chatsworth estate in Derbyshire - the most comprehensive ever undertaken - sheds new light on the people who lived in the area and worked the land over the past 6,000 years.

The survey has been compiled for the estate by archaeologists from the Peak District National Park Authority, led by Senior Archaeologist John Barnatt. The team worked closely with archaeologists Nicola and David Bannister on the survey, which has taken five years to complete. It was handed over to the Duchess of Devonshire at a ceremony on 31 October.

Covering around 50 sq km of the central part of the estate, it charts 3,500 archaeological and landscape features from prehistory to the present - far more than expected. Mapping them will help ensure that they continue to be preserved during the on-going management of the estate.

The survey - funded by English Heritage - set out to identify the estate's archaeological sites, buildings, field boundaries and woodlands. Until now many of these had never been recorded. Points of interest include:

· Early features such as burial mounds, stone circles and cairns that mark areas of prehistoric cultivation.
· Signs of industry including 800-year-old millstone quarries - possibly the best surviving examples in the UK - and evidence of coal mining dating back hundreds of years.
· Old field boundaries - low earthworks, among the best examples in the UK, which trace the cultivation of the land over 1,000 years. The land has been used for grazing since the 18th century but the ancient cultivation terraces, ridges and furrows can still be seen in the form of grassed mounds.
· Earthworks that reveal the layout of the magnificent 16th century formal gardens which were remodelled in the 1760s.

Cultural Heritage Manager for the Peak District National Park Authority, Ken Smith, said: "The Chatsworth estate has a rich and varied landscape. The survey has recorded many interesting features that tell us about the people who lived and worked in the area throughout human history."

Roger Wardle, Agent to the Duke and the Chatsworth Settlement Trustees, said: "We are grateful to English Heritage for funding the survey, which will enable us to continue to preserve these important features."

Jon Humble, Regional Inspector of Ancient Monuments with English Heritage, said: "The landscape is our most precious historical document - its archaeological sites and monuments are the only evidence we have for the majority of human history. The survey enables us to link to the past with present and future needs - and it will enhance the enjoyment of the wider landscape for the many visitors to Chatsworth."

Source: The Peak District National Park Authority

Contributor Bio for PaulM: Based in Macclesfield, contributing since 2002. Favourite site: Hordron Edge. Occupation: Something in waste and recycling.

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