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The prehistoric settlements and cairnfield, medieval farmsteads, bloomeries and charcoal pits 840m south of Cronkley on Bracken Rigg is a complex archaeological site in Yorkshire combining evidence of human occupation and industrial activity spanning several millennia. The cairnfield indicates Bronze Age settlement activity, whilst the medieval farmsteads represent later agricultural land use typical of the moorland fringes. The bloomeries and associated charcoal pits demonstrate iron working and fuel production, likely dating to the medieval or early modern period when such small-scale iron smelting was practised in upland regions. The site exemplifies the layered archaeological palimpsest characteristic of Yorkshire's moorlands, where successive periods of exploitation have left physical traces across the landscape.
Prehistoric settlements and cairnfield, medieval farmsteads, bloomeries and charcoal pits, 840m south of Cronkley on Bracken Rigg is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1017119. View the official record →
The prehistoric settlements and cairnfield, medieval farmsteads, bloomeries and charcoal pits 840m south of Cronkley on Bracken Rigg is a complex archaeological site in Yorkshire combining evidence of human occupation and industrial activity spanning several millennia. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1017119.
Prehistoric settlements and cairnfield, medieval farmsteads, bloomeries and charcoal pits, 840m south of Cronkley on Bracken Rigg is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1017119.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Roman period native settlement, medieval bloomery, building and track, and a charcoal pit at Keld Smithy Green, Holwick Fell (2.6 km), Burnt mound, cairnfield and bloomery at Eel Beck, 480m south of Blackmea Crag, Holwick Fell (3.4 km), Two burnt mounds south of Blackmea Crag Sike, 590m south west of Castle House (3.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Prehistoric settlements and cairnfield, medieval farmsteads, bloomeries and charcoal pits, 840m south of Cronkley on Bracken Rigg's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Prehistoric settlements and cairnfield, medieval farmsteads, bloomeries and charcoal pits, 840m south of Cronkley on Bracken Rigg stands on Yoredale Group, bedrock that formed in the Bashkirian. The rock here is limestone with subordinate sandstone and argillaceous rocks.