Iron-Age (Nidderdale)

Iron-Age (Nidderdale) is a community archaeology project investigating historic iron smelting and smithing in and around the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Nidderdale AONB) in North Yorkshire. Investigations are in progress at several locations where there is documentary or landscape evidence of iron extraction, smelting or smithing from the Iron Age to the early 17th Century when the local iron smelting industry seems to have come to an end (further information).

In Nidderdale itself a picture is emerging of an industry that occupied many sites but that is now largely forgotten. This is partly due to the fact that local iron extraction and smelting came to an end four hundred years ago but also because the lead industry in the area has a higher profile. Of ancient origins, it continued to function into the early years of the 20th Century and was an important employer and investment opportunity. There is still a tendency in some quarters to regard any sign of metal extraction or smelting in Nidderdale as a remnant of the lead industry.

A four year programme of fieldwork, research and data recording is in progess on several sites including Dacre Pasture between Summerbridge and Darley. This is the project's principal site and the location of the outdoor training events. Membership of the group is open to all adults and there are many activities, especially excavating, data recording and research. Contact us if you wish to join or would like more information or come along to one of the presentations shown in the Events Diary.

Iron-Age (Nidderdale) is an Affiliate Member of the Council for British Archaeology and a Member of the Historical Metallurgy Society