Kirkby Overblow

The Kirkby Overblow Local History Group has invited Iron-Age (Nidderdale) to carry out investigations in the village because, despite the fact that the derivation of "Overblow" from "Orblauers" (iron smelters) is well known, very little archaeological evidence of the iron industry has emerged. The main reasons for this are the extensive modern agricultural and residential developments that have taken place in Kirkby Overblow.

The village is not in Nidderdale but it shares some landscape and geological features with sites that have been investigated there and the experience is proving to be very useful. Some promising sites are being assessed and are providing evidence of ore and pits. Some likely locations of water power are also being investigated and possible bloomery furnace sites will be surveyed in the Autumn.

The steep slope below the village in the photograph below is likely to have been the source of much of the ore that was smelted locally although gardens, paddocks and improved fields are seen there today.

In other parts of the village there are signs of old bell pits and water management that may have been associated with ancient iron smelting.

Kirkby Overblow