AN archaeology group is heading for the hills later this month to see if they can uncover any signs of prehistoric activity.
Members of Altogether Archaeology will dig some exploratory trenches on Gueswick Hills, near Cotherstone. The excavation will be led by field archaeologist Harriet Sams, who lives in the village, and follows some initial surveys of the hills carried out earlier this year.
The project came about after a member of Altogether Archaeology suggested the group should look at Gueswick Hills as a site for a potential dig.
The hills are part of Doe Park, and a walk-over survey across the site was done with the permission of the Lamb family, which farms the land.
A report compiled by Altogether Archaeology states: “Gueswick Hills are one of a series of terminal moraines found across the Tees valley. The soil is sandy with no watercourses. Not surprisingly, there is no obvious evidence of settlement. However, as Gueswick Hills form a significantly raised promontory above the surrounding landscape, it must be a reasonable candidate to find some indications of prehistoric activity being present.”
A follow-up magnetic survey was carried out at four parts of the hills in June looking for any evidence of early human habitation.
Two of the four areas surveyed appeared to contain “quite complex archaeological anomalies” which are worthy of further investigation, according to the report, while the other two threw up nothing of interest.
Members of Altogether Archaeology will spend a week on Gueswick Hills from Monday, October 28.
Meanwhile, the group’s ongoing work at Well Head, Holwick, will be the subject of a special evening at Bowlees Visitor Centre on Thursday, October 24. Volunteers returned to Well Head for a third time in May to continue excavations begun in 2017.
As part of this year’s dig, Lonely Tower Film and Media was also on site recording the work being done and interviewing those taking part.
Two short films – one specifically about Altogether Archaeology and the other about Well Head and its place in the upper dale landscape – will be shown at Bowless Visitor Centre. There will also be a selection of finds from Well Head on show at the screening, which starts at 7pm.
For more details about the group and its work, go to www.altogetherarchaeology.org.
