The Stanbury Hill Project Post-excavation phase following the 2010 field season Louise D. Brown Background to the project The research aim of The Stanbury Hill Project is to investigate carved rocks, or ‘rock art’, within the context of their immediate landscape. Within the confines of the research area 16 examples of carved rocks have been recorded, including two scheduled examples (SAM no.25259 and no.25260). The natural boundaries provided by the hill coupled with the number of examples of carved rock within its confines make this an ideal setting for such a study. Investigations of the context of carved rocks are fairly recent (see e.g. Nash and Chippindale 2002). The English Heritage funded ‘Northumberland and Durham Rock Art Pilot’ (NADRAP) project is perhaps the most extensive in recent years and demonstrates the potential for such a study (see ‘England’s Rock Art’ website: archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/era/). Further to the work of The Stanbury Hill Project, work on the carved rocks on Rombalds Moor (a project entitled ‘CSI: Rombalds Moor’) was launched in November 2010, as part of the Watershed Landscape project. Investigations on the hill as part of The Stanbury Hill project have been extensive using the noninvasive techniques of fieldwalking, geophysical survey (magnetic and resistance survey in association with the Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences (AGES), University of Bradford), and the digital mapping of features (using a total station linked to Penmap software, in association with AGES). In excess of 200 features have been identified on the hill. These include examples of carved rocks, a seemingly discontinuous boundary of c.100m on the south side of the mound at a contour of c.286m, a number of cairns, and a number of as yet unidentified features. All of the recorded data has been plotted into Quantum GIS, and the raw data can be viewed on the project’s website: sites.google.com/site/stanburyhill/ Excavation of four of the identified features was carried out in 2010 under the direction of the author (Table 1; Figure 2). Trench Dimension Feature G087-F1 4x4m Clearance cairn G089-F2 1x5m Ephemeral linear feature (boundary) G102-F1 5x4m Clearance cairn G107-F2 4x6x2x8m Possible structure Table 1: Excavated areas in 2010

It is likely that the excavated evidence points to prehistoric activity (e.g. Vyner 2008, 11). At Stanbury Hill, the presence of field clearance cairns and boundaries, and its situation below the 300m contour, may fit Fleming’s model of Bronze Age ‘cairnfields’ (Fleming 1971 cited in Evans 1975, 133-134). However, no evidence was recovered with which to date the excavated features. The most common find in all trenches was a dark grey/black chert. Most examples have been struck and some cores were also identified. No pottery was recovered during the excavations. In terms of Bronze Age settlement activity, very little evidence has been found across Rombalds Moor. The most extensive being the Early Bronze Age hut circles at Green Crag Slack (SE 133 460) 1

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(Edwards no date), and the earlier, Late Neolithic examples at Backstone Beck (SE 1284 4618) (Edwards and Bradley 1999; Vyner 2008, 7). Both sites are to the northeast of Stanbury Hill (and to the south of Ben Rhydding). Should the feature G107-F2 prove to be a hut circle, then it is of great significance.

Figure 2: Plan showing excavated areas

Post-excavation 2010/2011 Introduction The post-excavation phase is to be carried out between January-June 2011 at AGES. Project volunteers will be trained in the processes involved in post-excavation by the author and the specialists. The author has a track record of training undergraduate students and volunteers in post-excavation, and has considerable experience in managing the post-excavation process through to publication (most recently Dockrill et al. in prep. and Dockrill et al. 2010). Some of the methods to be employed are outlined in Dockrill et al. 2007 (e.g. flotation of soil samples). The results of the post-excavation phase will be published in the excavation interim report and the analysis and data retrieved will inform the subsequent excavation season. Processes There are several post-excavation processes in which you can get involved. No previous experience is necessary as training will be provided in each aspect. However, should you have any experience or a particular interest in any aspect, please let me know. The post-excavation processes include the following: Computer-based:  Create databases and input data Databases are required of all the data recorded during the 2010 excavations. The digital archive forms an important part of the site archive alongside the paper records. 2

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Artefacts:  Sort tray/sieved finds During excavation it is sometimes difficult to ascertain whether something should be kept and recorded, or discarded. By keeping these materials and sorting them during the postexcavation process it is possible to maximise the evidence. It is also a good way to improve upon artefact recognition skills.  Check (rebag and rebox) small finds Some of the small finds require rebagging and all require reboxing for archive purposes.  Lithic assessment A catalogue of all the flint and chert needs to be produced.  Worked stone assessment As ‘Lithic assessment’, but for all other worked stone.  Misc. assessment As ‘Lithic assessment’, but for all remaining artefacts. Environmental remains:  Process bulk soil samples The large soil samples collected during the excavations may contain environmental material, such as seeds, that provide key evidence of the environment and possibly of cultivation. These need to be processed using a flotation tank, or by hand flotation to retrieve any artefacts/environmental remains which may be present.  Process spot samples These are smaller samples that have been taken of a specific feature/for a specific purpose (e.g. a discreet patch of burning). These require processing according to the reason for taking the sample. Some may be processed as above.  Sort heavy fraction Two fractions are obtained from the flotation of the soil samples, the light fraction (that which floats and often contains seeds) and the heavy fraction (that which sinks and may contain artefacts and environmental remains). Illustration:  Plans/sections Selected plans and sections are required for the interim report. Plans will be fitted together and traced using pen and ink.  Artefacts Pen and ink illustrations of selected artefacts will be required for the interim report and for the archive.  Photography Photographs of selected artefacts will be required for the interim report and for the archive. Proposed dates Work at the University will take place on a series of Saturdays between 10:00-17:00. Below is a proposed list of dates. These will run if a minimum of six people can attend. We will need to know in advance which dates you can attend, and we may reschedule if some dates prove unpopular. 22nd January, 12th February, 12th March, 16th April, 14th May 3

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References Dockrill, S.J., Bond, J.M., Turner, V.E., Brown, L.D., Bashford, D.J, Cussans, J.E. and Nicholson, R.A. in prep. Excavations at Old Scatness, Shetland Volume 2: The Iron Age Village. Lerwick: Shetland Heritage Publications. Dockrill, S.J., Bond, J.M., Turner, V.E., Brown, L.D., Bashford, D.J, Cussans, J.E. and Nicholson, R.A. 2010. Excavations at Old Scatness, Shetland Volume 1: The Pictish Village and Viking Settlement. Lerwick: Shetland Heritage Publications. Dockrill, S.J., Bond, J.M., Turner, V.E. and Brown, L.D. 2007. Old Scatness Excavation Manual. A case study in archaeological recording. Lerwick: Shetland Amenity Trust. Edwards, G. and Bradley, R. 1999. Rock carvings and Neolithic artefacts on Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire. In Cleal, R. and MacSween, A. (eds.) Grooved Ware in Britain and Ireland. Meolithic Studies Group Seminar Papers 3. Oxford: Oxbow Books. 76-77. Edwards, G. no date. Discovering Ilkley Moor: Archaeology http://www.ilkleymoor.org/archaeology.cfm (Accessed 25/10/10). Evans, J.G. 1975. The Environment of Early Man in the British Isles. London: Book Club Associates. Fleming, A. 1971. Bronze Age agriculture on the marginal lands of north-east Yorkshire. Agricultural History Review 19: 1-24. Nash, G. and Chippindale, C. (ed.) 2002. European landscapes of rock-art. London: Routledge. Vyner, B. 2008. Research Agenda. The Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age in West Yorkshire. Wakefield: West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service.

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