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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie F,S,A,

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 116
 Date Entered 28/01/2011
 Updated on 28/01/2011
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Lithic Find / Scatter
 Record Type Archaeology
 Site Access Public Access Land
 Record Date 01/01/2005
 Location Rigg above Calvert Houses.
 Civil Parish Muker
 Brit. National Grid Hidden
 Altitude 430m
 Geology Moraine hill over Middle Limestone Series.
 Record Name Tranchet Axe and other finds of Early Mesolithic character. Lithic find site.
 Record Description Mesolithic tranchet axe of black Pennine chert found together with the broken tip of a robust point, a water rolled chert cobble core tool, a large patinated flint pick-like core tool which could be of Early Mesolithic age, three minute scalene triangular microliths of Later Mesolithic Age (MUK002) and also: a significant assemblage of artefacts which include large discoidal and horseshoe scrapers, a straight-edged scale flaked tanged knife and several borers, all of Neolithic character. (MUK002). Photo MEL010.00 shows Rigg before destruction of the find site by the construction of a drivable track. Several patches of undisturbed peat covered ground survive as a source for future investigation of this site. Geophysical survey could identify the location of fire pits (not visible and not easily disturbed by surface collection or traffic. These fire pits are characteristic of these early occupation sites.
 Additional Notes These finds of differing age above Calvert Houses are firm evidence for the occasional occupation of this vantage point site over several millennia. This tranchet axe, the only such find from Swaledale, is an exceptional find both on grounds of the scarcity of tranchet or chipped stone axes and picks from the Pennines and elsewhere in Yorkshire. (For the known distribution of these axes, see Manby, T.G., 1999) References Laurie, T.C. 1999. �A Chert Tranchet Axe from Calvert Houses.� YASoc Prehistory Research Section Bulletin No 36. ISBN 0309-491X. Manby,, T.G. 1999. �Early Mesolithic Flint Axes and Adzes in Yorkshire.� YASoc Prehistory Research Section Bulletin No 36. ISBN 0309-491X.
 Image 1 ID 197         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe and refitting flake.
 Image 2 ID 198         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe and refitting flake.
 Image 3 ID 199         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe and refitting flake.
 Image 4 ID 200         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe,refitting flake and chert cobble core chopping tool. Laurie 1999. Figure 2.
 Image 5 ID 201         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe and refitting flake.
 Image 6 ID 202         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Calvert Houses. Rigg.
 Image 7 ID 203         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description Calvert Houses. Rigg.Impact fractured tip of robust backed flint point and large backed patinated flint flake from Fremington Edge (Early Mesolithic in character as similar tools from Star Carr). ).
 Image 8 ID 193         Click image to enlarge
 Image 8 Description Calvert Houses. Rigg. Lithic find site before destruction by upgrading of moor access road.
 
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