Ingleborough
Archaeology
Group
The Kingsdale Head Project 2009
Further archaeological investigation of a confirmed Mesolithic structure
This is merely a summary of the three weeks spent May 2009 at Kingsdale Head.
There were some great finds of flint and chert amongst the 300+ small finds. Here are two examples:
Flint Scraper
Worked flint
For those unfamiliar with the site this photo shows the setting superbly:
IAG were very grateful to Messrs Hartley Gardens of Masongill for easing the arduous task of deturfing. Time Team kindly take note of the machine to use in place of those excavators that are favoured.
The best part of the three weeks was the excellent working atmosphere. Even the howling winds and lashing rain of Kingsdale Head failed to dampen the spirits of the team.
We were lucky enough to have a set of aerial photographs of the site taken courtesy of Geoff Chapman. He has an interesting website at http://www.flyingcamera.moonfruit.com/
We did not find answers to all the questions we had set out to answer due the difficulties of weather, time and conditions. However it is fair to say that we are now clear that there is evidence of flint and chert having been worked on the site.
One of the anomalies on the geophysical survey has been explained (a mole-trap) and another has been partially explained ( a filled in fire-pit which we believe possibly lies within an older and larger fire-pit.) Samples of charcoal having been taken from the putative later fire-pit for dating. The anomalies that seemed to indicate an arc of possible postholes have not been explained as the excavation has not reached a sufficient depth this season. The carbon dates will have a significant influence on how the excavations will proceed but - to paraphrase Arnie - "We'll be back!"
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