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***SWAAG_ID***	116
Date Entered	28/01/2011
Updated on	28/01/2011
Recorded by	Tim Laurie
Category	Lithic Find / Scatter
Record Type	Archaeology
Site Access	Public Access Land
Record Date	01/01/2005
Location	Rigg above Calvert Houses.
Civil Parish	Muker
Brit. National Grid	Hidden
Altitude	430m
Geology	Moraine hill over Middle Limestone Series.
Record Name	Tranchet Axe and other finds of Early Mesolithic character. Lithic find site.
Record Description	Mesolithic tranchet axe of black Pennine chert found together with the broken tip of a robust point, a water rolled chert cobble core tool, a large patinated flint pick-like core tool which could be of Early Mesolithic age, three minute scalene triangular microliths of Later Mesolithic Age (MUK002) and also: a significant assemblage of artefacts which include large discoidal and horseshoe scrapers, a straight-edged scale flaked tanged knife and several borers, all of Neolithic character. (MUK002). Photo MEL010.00 shows Rigg before destruction of the find site by the construction of a drivable track. Several patches of undisturbed peat covered ground survive as a source for future investigation of this site. Geophysical survey could identify the location of fire pits (not visible and not easily disturbed by surface collection or traffic. These fire pits are characteristic of these early occupation sites.
Additional Notes	These finds of differing age above Calvert Houses are firm evidence for the occasional occupation of this vantage point site over several millennia. This tranchet axe, the only such find from Swaledale, is an exceptional find both on grounds of the scarcity of tranchet or chipped stone axes and picks from the Pennines and elsewhere in Yorkshire. (For the known distribution of these axes, see Manby, T.G., 1999) References Laurie, T.C. 1999. ï¿½A Chert Tranchet Axe from Calvert Houses.ï¿½ YASoc Prehistory Research Section Bulletin No 36. ISBN 0309-491X. Manby,, T.G. 1999. ï¿½Early Mesolithic Flint Axes and Adzes in Yorkshire.ï¿½ YASoc Prehistory Research Section Bulletin No 36. ISBN 0309-491X.
Image 1 ID	197 Click image to enlarge
Image 1 Description	Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe and refitting flake.
Image 2 ID	198 Click image to enlarge
Image 2 Description	Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe and refitting flake.
Image 3 ID	199 Click image to enlarge
Image 3 Description	Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe and refitting flake.
Image 4 ID	200 Click image to enlarge
Image 4 Description	Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe,refitting flake and chert cobble core chopping tool. Laurie 1999. Figure 2.
Image 5 ID	201 Click image to enlarge
Image 5 Description	Calvert Houses. Rigg. Tranchet axe and refitting flake.
Image 6 ID	202 Click image to enlarge
Image 6 Description	Calvert Houses. Rigg.
Image 7 ID	203 Click image to enlarge
Image 7 Description	Calvert Houses. Rigg.Impact fractured tip of robust backed flint point and large backed patinated flint flake from Fremington Edge (Early Mesolithic in character as similar tools from Star Carr). ).
Image 8 ID	193 Click image to enlarge
Image 8 Description	Calvert Houses. Rigg. Lithic find site before destruction by upgrading of moor access road.