With Northern Archaeological Associates (NAA) appointed as our archaeology consultants, we were keen to get them started surveying our chosen selection of archaeological sites and buildings. A couple of weeks ago, we met up to do a recce of them all including a possible early shieling site up on Green Side at the head of Sleddale. We quickly spotted the large circular banked enclosure with a couple of what looked like round huts clustered along one side.
Sketch showing line of enclosure bank at Green Side
Remains of possible huts at Green Side
Having established what we wanted, NAA started surveying in earnest yesterday at Floshes Hill. We were blessed with glorious sunshine all day and two NAA staff worked with four of our local volunteers using a magnetometer and plane table to record some of the amazingly well-preserved stackstands in the area.
Using GPS to lay out a grid for the magnetometer survey
Learning how to use the magnetometer
Setting up the plane table
Using the plane table
