We have continued to attend the open seminars at the University of Bradford covering a diverse range of archaeological subjects including Scottish flint sources, Bronze Age ceramics and Yorkshire henges. Elsewhere we heard Bob Pegg (remember Mr Fox from the early 1970s?) discussing his work on prehistoric musical instruments.
We were represented at the Pennine Prospects Annual Conference, and continue to maintain a presence at the SOURCE meetings, providing archaeological advice on sites identified for tree-planting to alleviate flooding in Calderdale. Moors For The Future initiated a consultation about their experimental molinia mowing and the possible archaeological impact.
Two talks were given, to Halifax Scientific Society and the prehistory section of Huddersfield Archaeological Society.
Our efforts to secure approval from Natural England for small-scale excavations in the Hebden Water catchment continue.
Brian has had a very successful year in the field, and he is publishing many of the results shortly in Prehistoric Yorkshire – an annual publication of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society. His brief notes are below:
A few metres from the cist an oval stone built feature with two courses of stone was located. The two features appear to be the remains of a funerary site and are datable to the Late Neolithic/ Early Bronze Age period.
Both funerary features were surveyed and drawn by section members in advance of the rising water.
Yorkshire Water were made aware of the funerary site that is of national importance, and they subsequently made a press release available to the Halifax Courier.
We seek to work to professional standards .All of the lithic finds have been recorded using hand held GPS to an accuracy of 2 metres. They have all been recorded on the Historic Environment Record and Portable Antiquities Scheme databases.
It is likely that the talk early next year will provide members with more details of these finds and other ongoing work. David Shepherd 29/10/14
The group runs a popular programme of workshops and drop-in sessions at the Birchcliffe Centre
Upper Calderdale's suitability for the preservation of local cultural tradition is nowhere shown as strongly as in its wealth of folk tales about places, many of which are still being passed on by word of mouth.
For some years now a small group of friends has been exploring the evidence for prehistoric activity in the South Pennines.