Newsletter
Newsletter, 29 October 2008
Dear All,
Thank you to everyone who joined us on our two Training Days this month - and to Kevin for leading us so ably. Our first session was hut-bound by the most appalling day-long rain, but we learned a lot and were ready to take to the hills on today's second training day, when we were fortunate enough to enjoy dry weather and even fantastic blue skies for much of the crisp autumn day.
This enabled us to get on with some sketch surveying training and also a training dig, complete with surveying, on a level area in our top field - a previously uninvestigated patch between several Iron Age hut circles. After some distinctly soggy peat was removed we found (inevitably in the eleventh hour of digging) not just the usual single dark medieval sooty layer, but a second, (new to us) earlier dark layer - it was just above a reddened patch, the top of which yielded some intriguing fragments (see pic below left). At this stage, we're open to suggestions as to what they mean ... but we shall investigate more at a later date.
In addition, we can report that, despite some "challenging" weather last week, we managed to explore further the flagged floor uncovered in previous weeks. It now extends nearly 3m but seems to end with triangular stones which curve it around to (unfortunately) underneath last week's spoil heap so that was that for the week. However, Janis did some wonderful work in the adjacent cobbles by finding a small curve of what looks like roast ore (7cm across, 5 cm high) stuck like a house martin nest on a gable wall to the inside of a small circular feature (photo above right). Could this be residue left in a small hearth? We hope to find out more during November.
So, lots of mysteries to solve in the coming months - as well as stunning views to enjoy.
All the very best,
Gillian Hovell
Secretary, Iron-Age (Nidderdale) Project
As ever, may we remind you all that the site is on an exposed hillside and waterproofs/suncream, warm layers and stout footwear are definitely required.
May we stress that the site is on private property with no public right of way - access must be accompanied by a group leader at all times.
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