Issue 36 2023 - Journal - Page 71
Community archaeology
uncovers clues to medieval
farm linked to Rievaulx Abbey
An archaeological dig in the North York Moors National Park has surprised experts with the
wealth and quality of the finds discovered. They include jet rosary beads, pottery and glazed
tiles, pointing to a high status, medieval farm with close links to the Cistercian monks of
nearby Rievaulx Abbey.
Located four miles outside of Helmsley, the site was
known to be the location of a medieval grange built
shortly after Rievaulx (which was founded in 1132) and
managed by the abbey until its dissolution by Henry VIII
in 1539. Despite this established history, a recently
completed dig turned up some surprising archaeological
finds. The excavation was jointly funded by the North
York Moors National Park Authority, the tenant farmer
and a local archaeologist.
Miles Johnson, Head of Historic Environment at the
North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “Whilst
it’s not surprising that we found evidence of medieval
farming, the prestige and range of the uncovered artefacts
points to this being a place of high economic importance
that reflected the status of the Abbey.
“For the archaeologists to find a cellar and what we think
are glazed roof tiles from a medieval farm of this period is
almost unheard of. Some finds also relate to the process
of iron smelting, which was clearly happening onsite and
indeed there was also an iron hunting arrow.”
The community dig was led by archaeologist John Buglass,
founder of North Yorkshire-based JB Archeology, with
close involvement from Keith Emerick, Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Historic England. Sixteen volunteers
took part in the dig, contributing the equivalent of 129
days across six weeks.
John Buglass said: “This is one of those unexpected digs
that shows just how much we can still learn from sites we
thought we understood.
Below, commuity archaeologists unearth medieval farm, redit JB Archaeology
