Archaeology
The remains of human activity form the historic environment, an integral part of the cultural heritage which the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority seeks both to conserve and enhance and to promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment by the public. Identifying, recording, interpreting and protecting these remains is therefore a core activity for the Authority.
This work is carried out in partnership with many others: private individuals, local and national societies, universities, commercial contractors, government agencies and, not least, the owners and occupiers of land.
Underpinning this historic environment work is the Historic Environment Record (HER) developed and maintained by the Authority. This includes a computer database linked to a Geographical Information System (GIS), thousands of aerial and ground photographs, historic maps, transcriptions of old documents, detailed site surveys and field notes. It is, however, only an index - the real record of the historic environment of the area is in the landscape itself, much of it still waiting to be identified. Part of the HER can be accessed remotely through the Out of Oblivion website (opens in new window).
Information in the HER is used by the Authority to provide advice on a wide range of proposals – footpath diversions, tree planting schemes, agri-environment schemes, planning applications and so on. The HER is also used by schools and universities and local individuals and societies interested in the Dales.
The Authority also develops and implements positive management schemes for archaeological sites and landscapes. These may range from simple projects such as the repainting of mileposts to the development of major consolidation and interpretation schemes such as its programme of work on lead industry sites (eg Grinton Lead Smelt Mill) or the lime industry (eg Craven Lime Works), using both its own resources and funds accessed from bodies such as English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund (websites open in new windows).
The Authority has a number of management agreements designed specifically to protect and provide public access to historic features, such as Castlehaw motte and bailey castle near Sedbergh and Bolton Park Mine in Wensleydale. Management work needs to be based on a sound understanding and the Authority commissions and carries out an intensive programme of archaeological survey both to inform the work and to enhance the HER. The Historic Environment Team also gives advice and support to other bodies wishing to carry out practical management work.
The Yorkshire Dales Archaeology Group, convened by the Authority, brings together individuals and organisations active in researching and protecting the historic environment of the Dales. A small grant programme enables support and encouragement to be given to well-thought-out research projects. The results of some recent projects are reported in Archaeology and Historic Landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire Archaeological Society Occasional Paper 2, 2004. An historic environment day school is held annually and members of the Historic Environment Team frequently give talks to national and local bodies.
Current initiatives include a Monuments at Risk Survey being carried out by Dales Volunteers; Historic Landscape Characterisation (a partnership with the North York Moors National Park Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, the City of York, Tees Archaeology and English Heritage) and a Cave Conservation Audit (a partnership with the Peak District National Park Authority, Bradford and Sheffield Universities and English Heritage).
Contact details
Historic Environment Team
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale
Bainbridge
Leyburn
North Yorkshire
DL8 3EL
0870 1 666333
