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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***** 737
 Date Entered 07/07/2013
 Updated on 07/07/2013
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Settlement
 Record Type Archaeology
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Public Access Land
 Record Date 05/07/2013
 Location Malham Moor. Middle House Pasture.
 Civil Parish Not known
 Brit. National Grid SD 901 681
 Altitude 475M
 Geology Great Scar Limestone Karst scenery with pavement and adjacent doline depression and watersink. Reference: Waltham, D. and Lowe, D. (Eds.) 2013. 'Caves and Karst of the Yorkshire Dales. Volume 1.' British Cave Research Association. ISBN 978-0-900265-46-4 (paperback). Volume 1 of this invaluable new book includes a total of 16 chapters written by specialist researchers on different aspects of the Pennine Limestone Scenery and provides a comprehensive review of the current understanding of the landscapes of the Craven Limestone Uplands.
 Record Name Malham Moor. Round house settlement on Middle House Pasture.
 Record Description This settlement comprises a total of twenty two round houses and ancillary huts enclosed by a very substantial stone bank which has the appearance of a very large paddock-like field. A further very large paddock enclosure which appears devoid of huts is attached to this settlement enclosure. This very high village settlement has the appearance (and probably a similar function) of an African kraal and would have been occupied by pastoralist farmers with their animals taking advantage of the fine grassland and hazel scrub browse during the summer months. The settlement is located close by a doline depression and water sink, now infilled with shallow peat, which would have provided the essential open water supply, very scarce on the limestone uplands. It should be borne in mind that the areas of extensive limestone pavement would have been concealed under a loessic soil of windborne silt of late glacial origine. This soil supported light hazel scrub and mixed deciduous limestone ashwood. The present open grassland landscape of Malham Moor developed following woodland clearance and intensive grazing during the Iron Age and subsequently. For a survey of this settlement, see Arthur Raistrick with Paul Holmes, 1962. 'Archaeology of Malham Moor.' (I am indebted to Ric Carter for providing me with a copy of Arthur Raistrick's 'Archaeology of Malham Moor.')
 Dimensions Settlement enclosure bank contains 22 round houses and is 400m in circumference. Second attached enclosure is larger.
 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 Raistrick excavated two of the round houses at Middle House Pasture. He describes the excavation and the few finds. By analogy with other sites in the area, Raistrick considered that the settlement at Middle House pasture was of Late Iron Age or Romano British Age.
 Image 1 ID 4540         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description The settlement location on Middle House Pasture. Above the Scar in middle distance.
 Image 2 ID 4547         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Ric in possession.
 Image 3 ID 4536         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description The walk to Middle House Pasture passes Ha Mire and Great Close Mire which were once extensions of Malham Tarn visible in distance.
 Image 4 ID 4537         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Cotton Grass with Birds Eye Primrose.
 Image 5 ID 4538         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description Northern Marsh Orchids.
 Image 6 ID 4539         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Ha Mire is Spring fed. Bog bean seen here.
 Image 7 ID 4554         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description Great Close Scar. Round barrow on summit. Mesolithic Sites were located at the edge of Ha Mire, then open water, below the Scar
 Image 8 ID 4545         Click image to enlarge
 Image 8 Description The Settlement enclosure with round houses and Jackie surveying the scene.
 Image 9 ID 4546         Click image to enlarge
 Image 9 Description Ric , in possession and Master of all he possesses.
 Image 10 ID 4548         Click image to enlarge
 Image 10 Description 'Farewell to the ancient world... but a Brave New World awaits...'
 Image 11 ID 4549
 Image 11 Description The long walk back to Malham Tarn starts across limestone pavement. Clints and grykes were formed below loessic soil which supported hazel scrub and limestone ashwood. An Iron Age field boundary crosses the bare limestone, once woodland.
 Image 12 ID 4550
 Image 12 Description Clints and grykes were formed below loessic soil which supported hazel scrub and limestone ashwood. An Iron Age field boundary crosses the bare limestone, once woodland.
 Image 13 ID 4551
 Image 13 Description Malham Tarn. Evening sun.
 Image 14 ID 4552
 Image 14 Description 'I think I can see where the cars may be...'
 Image 15 ID 4553
 Image 15 Description Ha Mire again.
 Image 16 ID 4555
 Image 16 Description Arthur Raistrick.1962. Archaeology of Malham Moor, Figures 5 Middle House Moor. Iron Age Complex and 6. Hut on Middle House Moor. Plan and Reconstruction. Field Studies 1, 73-100.:
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