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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***** 919
 Date Entered 05/03/2016
 Updated on 05/03/2016
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Earthworks
 Record Type Archaeology
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Public Access Land
 Record Date 03/03/2016
 Location Brownsey Moor
 Civil Parish Melbecks
 Brit. National Grid SD 9770 9895
 Altitude 450m
 Geology Main and Richmond Cherts over the Main Limestone
 Record Name A small high level cairnfield settlement on Brownsey Moor
 Record Description Slight stone field banks, clearance cairns and stone free areas defined by clearance edges on a high terrace mark the site of a high level settlement of Bronze Age Cairnfield character. No timber round house structures have been recognised, however their probable presence can be inferred on an adjacent level terrace. These very slight but definite traces of human activity at an elevation of 450m AOD are surely among the highest and most exposed remains of cultivation and transient settlement by a small family group during prehistory. It should be borne in mind that the climatic and woodland environment at all levels of Swaledale was very different during the Second Millenium BC. The climate during the Atlantic Period was warm and dry. Mixed deciduous woodland extended across all areas of what today is open heather moorland. Very extensive cultivation remains similar to these are present at equivalent elevation on Fremington Edge and at slightly lower elevations on Grinton Moor, Harkerside and on Reeth Low Moor. (Laurie T.C. with N.W. Mahaffy and R.F. White, 2012 in R.D. Martlew, Ed. 'Prehistory in the Yorkshire Dales: recent research and future prospects. pp37-59'. ISBN 978-1-906604-35-6)
 Dimensions See photos
 Geographical area 
 Species 
 Scientific Name 
 Common / Notable Species 
 Tree and / or Stem Girth 
 Tree: Position / Form / Status 
 Tree Site ID 0
 Associated Site SWAAG ID 0
 Additional Notes These slight remains characteristic of Bronze Age cultivation were first noted during a current programme of archaeological reconnaissance across areas of Swaledale not previously surveyed during the Swaledale Land Boundaries Project (Fleming A.F.and Laurie T.C. 1985-1994.)
 Image 1 ID 6703         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description Stone cairn, may contain a burial, but possibly just field clearance. Stone free areas between the cairns and field banks were cultivated following initial clearance of woodland.
 Image 2 ID 6705         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Stone dump field bank.
 Image 3 ID 6704         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description The slight curve visible on this ver slight field bank may mark the location of a timber round house.
 Image 4 ID 6706         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description The two large boulders mark a small circular cairn like feature.
 Image 5 ID 6707         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description View westward from the cairnfield across the fields of Brownsey House
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