<< Feature Articles >> The Prehistoric Nidderdale Project
Submitted by Andy B on Thursday, 28 April 2011 Page Views: 5805
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We were grateful to be joined on one visit by Keith Boughey who generously shared his expertise in rock art - enabling the stunning discovery of two further rock carvings within yards of the first.
Prehistoric Nidderdale is a new community archaeology project that has developed from an earlier (and continuing) project called Iron-Age Nidderdale. Both are investigating the archaeology of early settlements in and around the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Fieldwork on the main site of the Iron-Age Nidderdale project near Dacre has revealed more evidence of prehistoric iron smelting than was expected and it has also revealed a lead smelting site and two settlements which have been provisionally dated to the Iron Age. There are a number of other features too that merit further investigation; they include a probable Neolithic cairn or long barrow, a Bronze Age barrow and a possible hillfort. There are also indications of a Roman presence, tenuous at the moment but difficult to ignore.
Across the valley from Dacre some exploration around Cinder Hills, Darley has revealed the remains of some ancient enclosure walls that merit further investigation.
Landowners on both sides of Gouthwaite Reservoir have discovered sites of interest on their land and have encouraged further investigations which are continuing. Although these studies are at early stages it is clear that there are many features of real interest that can reveal much more about Nidderdale's prehistoric residents.
As described at the top of this article, at Gouthwaite there are a number of features on or close to the top of the ridge on the western side of the reservoir. They incude three of maybe four examples of Bronze Age rock art and several hut circles and enclosures. Evidence of Iron-Age settlement has also been reported across the valley near Sigsworth by the Nidd Chase Local Heritage Group.
All of these features are at an altitude of around 200 metres or more, noticably higher than the great majority of later settlements in Nidderdale. Thinner tree and scrub cover at this altitude in prehistoric times and good drainage are possible reasons for the choice of these elevated locations.
Landscape archaeology is proving to be very fruitful in identifying new sites but documentary evidence is important too and the record of discoveries at Ashfold Side is a good example. A note in the journal of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society has ensured that an earlier discovery by local residents is not forgotten.
The Prehistoric Nidderdale project is planning to investigate these features by fieldwork and research and expects to identify new sites in a landscape that is rich in previously unrecorded archaeology.
View more photos on our page for the site and visit the Prehistoric Nidderdale web site for more updates as the work continues.
Note: Exclusive photos of some prehistoric rock art discovered only a few weeks ago
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