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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***** 930
 Date Entered 24/04/2016
 Updated on 25/04/2016
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Archaeological Random Find
 Record Type Archaeology
 Site Access Public
 Record Date 01/01/2005
 Location Harlsey Castle. In stone dump by public roadside.
 Civil Parish Not known
 Brit. National Grid Hidden
 Record Name Basal stone of an Iron Age beehive quern made from a glacial erratic boulderof Shap Granite and lithic finds as evidence of long distance trade
 Record Description This fragment of the basal stone is of considerable interest in that, rather than the usual local sandstone, it was made from Shap Granite and most probably from a glacial erratic boulder. Boulders of shap granite suitable for conversion into querns would be rather larger to that shown in the photos. Shap granite boulders of all sizes are widely distributed in the path of the Stainmore Glacier. This find confirms that glacial erratic boulders of all stone types, granite and gritstone were used as a source of querns.
 Additional Notes The distribution of stone artefacts of chert, volcanic ash and other lithic types has been used as evidence for long distance trade from the geological outcrop. This overlooks the transport of these special stone types far from source by glaciers and rivers. One example is the distribution of artefacts of black Pennine Chert from Fremington Edge. This example overlooks the fact that black chert nodules are available in all outwash gravels and river gravels in the Vale of Mowbray. Water rolled cobbles have no flaws, whereas chert at outcrop is always frost shattered and flawed. Thus being of no use for knapping.
 Image 1 ID 6774         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description The quern fragment
 Image 2 ID 6768         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description View of one face and curved edge
 Image 3 ID 6775         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description Detail of quernnfragment showing biconical central perforation drilled from either face
 Image 4 ID 6770         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Glacial erratic boulder of the distinctive Shap Granite from River Tees gravels.
 
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