The Ingleborough Terraces − a walk back in time

Last year a visit was made to the northern terraces below the north-west side of Ingleborough where the remains of many Bronze age burial mounds are to be found. This year the southern terraces were visited.

From the church car park at Chapel-le-Dale a party of ten walked up to Southerscales Farm with its attractive decorated datestone 1765 R M M (Metcalfe) and rapidly decaying barns. The larger barn is probably ancient and the site itself has a well-documented very long history. We walked further up the hillside but off the main path to overlook Southerscales deserted medieval village, with clearly seen remains of rectangular structures and attached enclosures. This is only one of several old settlements along these terraces; recent research work by Ingleborough Archaeology Group suggests that the site might be Anglo-Saxon in origin.

The next point of interest was a very small circular cairn structure containing sandstones - remarkable in the limestone surroundings. Just nearby appear to be the sandstone foundations of a burial mound from which these coloured stones may have been robbed. The geological layers of limestone, shales and sandstones making up Ingleborough towering above, probably had some impact on the belief system of the local people in post-glacial times.

Several rectangular, circular and linear features were inspected during the day. Some may have been animal enclosures or exclosures - keeping animals in or out. Two small double-cell structures on the terraces suggest shepherd shelters. The remains of straight boundary walls were found, plunging over the terrace edge on to the next terrace below. None of these items can be dated yet since excavation is not allowed without very good reason. However, it is not difficult to envisage considerable activity thousands of years ago, probably making use of good pasturage - remembering that the current exposure of limestone pavement is relatively recent. No house remains have been found on these terraces, so use was perhaps seasonal.

A 13th-century document refers to a boundary between Ingleborough and Whernside and it can be followed today, apart from one place called ‘Spechscaflade’ - which is thought to mean ‘speaking post stream’. It may be the curious banjo-shaped clearance area which sits on the terrace with evidence of some walling and a trackway down the hillside. It could have been used for stock but maybe it was a meeting place like Thingvellir in Iceland, where the law-givers spoke to tribesmen and where disputes were settled. Ingleborough summit is covered with ring cairns (not hut circles) where funerary or religious activities are surmised to have taken place. Ingleborough is an outstanding landmark so it is not unreasonable to suggest that it was a meeting point with religious significance. Yet another obvious large enclosure has walls several feet high and is well-constructed with very large regularly-shaped stones. This is Harry Hallams Fold but who was Harry Hallam? Bearing in mind that the area was owned by Furness Abbey in later medieval times this construction gives the impression of an upmarket meeting place rather than an animal enclosure.

Not all holes or depressions are simply swallow-holes in the limestone. Chris pointed out that man-made holes have spoil heaped on one side. We looked at two such small holes which were dug in the (unsuccessful) search for lead, and the surroundings were notable for being covered with very fine white gravel.

On the return home at a higher level under the steep slopes of Ingleborough we looked at the remains of millstone cutting from daystones - i.e. very large boulders of millstone grit - with evidence of a line of holes made by feathering to split off a suitable piece which could then be rounded to make a millstone. A roughed-out millstone lies nearby, together with a concave piece of stone broken off the edge of another. A rather small stone shelter was presumably used to avoid the worst of the weather for the quarryman.

Not only did we all enjoy an excellent day out in decent weather with marvellous views, but we got to appreciate just how important a place these terraces are in understanding the pre-history and history of upland North Craven, thanks to the very knowledgeable leadership of Chris. Much more detailed information can be found in the reports of the Ingleborough Archaeology Group website.