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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***** 842
 Date Entered 30/12/2014
 Updated on 01/01/2015
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Ring Cairns
 Record Type Archaeology
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Public Access Land
 Record Date 24/12/2014
 Location Teesdale. Cotherstone Moor. Summit of Goldsborough Hill.
 Civil Parish Cotherstone
 Brit. National Grid NY 95474 17673
 Altitude 389m
 Geology Thin peat turf over Namurian sandstone bedrock.
 Record Name Ring cairn on Goldsborough Hill Summit. Effect on visibility of archaeological sites of reduction of grazing.
 Record Description Despite the fact that Cotherstone Moor does today support a fine and healthy flock of Swaledale Sheep, see photos Nos 4 and 5 below,the effects of the general reduction of sheep numbers and the consequent increase here of soft rush (Juncus effusus), on the visibility of the Ring Cairn on the summit of Goldsborough Hill is plain to see. Earliest photo 1998, second photo October 2012, latest photo December 2014. This effect is general across the Pennine Uplands. Dense heather, moorland coarse tussock forming grasses and sedges, which when ungrazed, equally contribute. Sites and features which were clear to see when subsidies were assigned to sheep numbers are now obscured and this will make moorland historic landscape interpretation much more difficult to understand and demonstrate.
 Dimensions See photos
 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 Rock art sites are now usually obscured or partially obscured by vegetation and especially difficult to locate. Moorland burning can damage the surface of carved rocks when covered with inflammable heather. The location and prior clearance of these rocks before periodic heather burns will be a priority.
 Image 1 ID 5923         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description Ring Cairn, Goldsborough Summit October 1998.
 Image 2 ID 5924         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Ring Cairn, Goldsborough Summit, difficult to see October 2012.
 Image 3 ID 5925         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description Ring Cairn, Goldsborough Summit, totally obscured December 2014.
 Image 4 ID 5926         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Swaledales on the track leading to Goldsborough. The finest little sheep you will ever see!
 Image 5 ID 5927         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description Swaledales on the track leading to Goldsborough. The finest little sheep you will ever see!
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