Scordale, Cumbria: The Archaeology of a North Pennine Valley
Author(s): Stewart Ainsworth, Abby Hunt
Between 2005 and 2009, English Heritage’s Research Department undertook a multidisciplinary investigation of approximately 343 hectares in Scordale, Cumbria, encompassing a 4km-long stretch of the valley. The project was undertaken primarily to inform conservation measures in partnership with the Defence Estates Environmental Support Team and also contributes to the ‘Joint Accord’ between English Heritage and AONB Staff Units. Using rectified aerial photography as a base, archaeological features were recorded at 1:2500 scale across the whole survey area, with windows of detailed survey (at 1:200 or 1:1000) around areas at risk from erosion by the Scordale Beck (RDRS 15/2007). The archaeological remains primarily relate to lead-mining and processing activities, spanning the later medieval period to 1895; barytes was also extracted and worked here between 1895 and the 1930s. In addition, clusters of settlement remains from the prehistoric, Romano-British and possibly early medieval periods were recognised, in some cases apparently connected with the mining activities. Towards the mouth of the valley, a Bronze Age field system with dispersed settlement, part of which was threatened by fluvial erosion and was dealt with in a previous report (RDRS 78/2006), was recorded in its entirety. The records from the investigation were compiled in a GIS to assist with analysis of the landscape and to inform ongoing conservation work by Defence Estates.
- Report Number:
- 35/2010
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 196
- Keywords:
- GIS Landscape Park Lead Post Medieval Prehistoric Settlement Survey Water Management Analytical Landscape Survey
