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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 FSA

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 780
 Date Entered 27/02/2014
 Updated on 02/03/2014
 Recorded by Alan and Judith Mills
 Category Mining Related
 Record Type Mining
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Army Range
 Record Date 15/07/2012
 Location Stainton Moor
 Civil Parish Stainton
 Brit. National Grid SE 08897 95124
 Altitude 313m
 Geology 
 Record Name Stainton Lead Smelting Mill
 Record Description Alan Mills & Richard Smith visited Stainton Moor on 15th July 2012 under the supervision of Range Marshall W/O Martin Robinson, no.4 Stainton.

What follows is from Richard's notebook.

We located the probable site of the Stainton lead smelting mill as shown on the 1st ed OS map (SE 08897 95124 313m), at the end of a broad grass track and on the South bank of the beck. There was some raised ground which may be collapsed walls (see photo 1) but otherwise there were few traces to be seen. However, a possible leat led down from a clearly defined dam (see photo 2) with a secondary overflow / spillway down to the beck above the mill. See the plan of the site.

No slag was found although a clay brick with no markings was found in the beck by the mill. About 30m below the mill was a fragment of blue & white "Willow Pattern" pottery perhaps from a teapot or vase.

About 200m below the mill was a flat grassy area (SE 08990 95196), shown on the 1st ed OS map, which had a protecting trench around it (also shown on the 1st ed OS). There were a few scattered pieces of coal here. The purpose of this area is not known.

We later visited Wyville Level (SE 09384 95803 285m) which is collapsed and has a long ca. 50m trench to the portal - it is possibly a development of an earlier opencast working. (see photos 3 & 4). It looks as if the apparent collapse is in fact part of the earlier working and that the level goes underneath. Only about one foot of the top of the arch is evident.

On the way back we went on to Bail Hill (SE 09767 96419 283m) and found one piece of slagged stone (see photos 5 & 6) and bits of red stone. The hill is heavily grassed and the only exposure was as a result of rabbit burrowing.

The area to the NW was investigated but all of the fell is heavily grassed with with thick sod overburden.
 Dimensions 
 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 
 Image 1 ID 5136         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description Probable site of Stainton smelt mill; the raised ground may be the remains of the collapsed walls.
 Image 2 ID 5137         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description Richard Smith on the dam
 Image 3 ID 5138         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description Wyville Level portal
 Image 4 ID 5139         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description Wyville Level, trench leading to the portal
 Image 5 ID 5140         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description Lead splattered stone on Bail Hill
 Image 6 ID 5141         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Close up of lead splattered stone on Bail Hill
 Image 7 ID 5142         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description Stainton Mill Survey
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