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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie F,S,A,

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 849
 Date Entered 10/02/2015
 Updated on 10/02/2015
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Mining Related
 Record Type Mining
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Army Range
 Record Date 08/02/2015
 Location Stainton Moor Beck. North Bank.
 Civil Parish Stainton
 Brit. National Grid SE 0971 9585
 Altitude 250m
 Geology Glacial drift on rising ground at edge of floodplain cut by the small stream nown as Stainton Moor Beck.
 Record Name Large lead bale site on north side of Stainton Moor Beck.
 Record Description This large bale site was revealed by surface deposit of lead slag at a single rabbit scrape. The existence of this entirely turf covered early lead smelting site was first noticed by Tony Burgoyne, Regional Verifier to the Woodland Trust, during a survey of the ancient managed alders which line both banks of Stainton Beck. The alders here have been managed by coppicing,possibly to make charcoal to manufacture the gunpowder used at the local lead mines. The presence of a dense layer of lead slag is revealed at the rabbit scrape, see image below.The probable extent of the lead bale is marked by a green, dense mossy turf carpeting the lead slag deposit. This light green mossy turf vegetation differs markedly from the general dun coloured vegetation of acidic grassland. If this interpretation is correct, the bale site is roughly 25m diameter and the area includes several distinct circular depressions which are a common feature at bale sites. Both lead and iron smelting sites have been located in close proximity to managed alder woodland.
 Dimensions 25m Diameter approximately.
 Geographical area 
 Species 
 Scientific Name 
 Common / Notable Species 
 Tree and / or Stem Girth 
 Tree: Position / Form / Status 
 Tree Site ID 0
 Associated Site SWAAG ID 0
 Additional Notes This largely invisible and presumably hitherto unrecorded Bale Site is located some 500m downstream of the Wyvills Lead Mine Level and within easy reach of the rich surface deposits of lead ore which have been worked extensively at higher elevation on both Ellerton and on Stainton Moor at the eastern end of the Great Stork Vein. Reference: K.C. Dunham and A.A. Wilson: Geology of the North Pennine Orefield, Volume 2: Stainmore to Craven. Chapter 11 and Figure 30, Locations 23 to 24.
 Image 1 ID 6063         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description Stainton Beck marked by ancient alders seen from the spoil tips at Wyvills Level (SE09489581)
 Image 2 ID 6065         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description The Stainton Beck bale site was first recognised by Tony Burgoyne during a survey of the ancient alders.
 Image 3 ID 6070         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description The lead bale revealed by a single rabbit scrape.
 Image 4 ID 6071         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Shallow circular depressions are characteristic of many large lead bales.
 Image 5 ID 6072         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description The lead bale is vegetated below dense mossy turf.
 Image 6 ID 6067         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Rabbit scrape with lead slag
 Image 7 ID 6068         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description Dense layer of slag below turf in rabbit scrape.
 Image 8 ID 6073         Click image to enlarge
 Image 8 Description Wyvills Level. The level has collapsed a few metres from the entrance.
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