Excavation of a Late Seventh-Century Structure in Upper Ribblesdale

Abstract

Earthwork remains of a small rectangular, stone-built structure were identified by field walking in Upper Pasture to the west of the hamlet of Selside in Horton in Ribblesdale civil parish. Most archaeological sites in Upper Ribblesdale have hitherto been identified as most probably of Romano-British date but none had been conclusively dated. Excavation of this structure was conceived to test the hypothesis that it was an early medieval shieling associated with transhumant stock rearing rather than a Romano-British building.

Remarkably, significant quantities of Early Neolithic chert, some of it worked, were recovered from within the structure but radiocarbon dating of two charcoal samples impressed into the floor within the building produced identical radiocarbon dates of cal ad 660–780, thereby confirming an early medieval provenance for it. No early medieval metal objects or bone were recovered, and the site was aceramic.

Keywords:

• Upper Pasture
• Selside
• Shieling
• Transhumance
• Neolithic
• Anglo-Saxon
• Chert

Acknowledgements

The project could not have taken place without the permission and support of the landowners, Natural England, and of the grazier, Keith Middleton, so thanks are extended to them. Thanks are also extended to Arthur Batty for his geophysical and Hexacopter surveys; to Dr Denise Druce for post-excavation analysis and preparation of charcoal samples; and to Dr Hannah Russ for examining and reporting on the lithics. A debt of gratitude is also owed to The Robert Kiln Trust for their generous financial support. IAG members Chris Bonsall, Jeff Price and Jill Sykes were responsible for photography, surveying and computer graphics and proof reading respectively. The excavation was undertaken by IAG members. The anonymous referee and the editor are warmly thanked for suggesting a number of improvements, but responsibility for any errors of interpretation remains with the author.