Issue 36 2023 - Journal - Page 73
“Through the hard work of volunteer archaeologists from
inside and outside the National Park, we have managed
to add some significant understanding to our knowledge
of the monastic granges of Rievaulx.”
Keith Emerick of Historic England said:“This is a truly
remarkable discovery. Although we know where many
monastic farm sites are located, relatively little is known
about them. The excavation of such impressive remains
and their associated finds adds a huge amount to our
understanding of the medieval world.”
The excavations, which covered only a small part of the
site, have now been completed, but work on analysing the
finds and interpreting the materials recovered will
continue over the next year.
As successful farmers, the Cistercian monks at Rievaulx
Abbey had a significant impact on the landscape of the
North York Moors. They developed large scale moorland
grazing and stimulated the rapid growth of the wool trade
that became so significant in England’s later history. The
monks even diverted the course of the River Rye on more
than one occasion to allow for their developments.
Below, evidence of monastic grange, credit NYMNPA
Opposite, Iron arrow head, credit JB Archaeology
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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