Ingleborough Hill, located in the Yorkshire Dales, is known for its prehistoric significance, particularly its hill fort. The hill fort atop Ingleborough is located at an elevation of about 723 meters (2,372 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest known Iron Age settlements in the region.
Here are some key details about the Ingleborough Hill Fort:
Structure and Features: The hill fort is characterized by a series of defensive earthworks, including a series of ramparts (earth and stone walls) and ditches. It is a classic example of an Iron Age hill fort, built in a location that provides strategic visibility and control over the surrounding area. The fort is thought to have been designed for defence, with a complex system of enclosures.
Date and Occupation: The hill fort is believed to have been constructed during the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age, around 1000 to 500 BCE. Evidence of occupation during the Iron Age has been found in the form of pottery fragments, tools, and other artefacts, suggesting that it was an important site for local populations.
Cultural Significance: Ingleborough Hill Fort is likely to have been a site of considerable importance in prehistoric times. Its strategic location offers views over the surrounding valleys and the Ribblehead area, which would have been important for controlling trade routes, agricultural land, and communication between different tribal groups.
Archaeological Evidence: Excavations and surveys around the hill fort have uncovered pottery, tools, and other materials that indicate the fort was actively used by Iron Age communities. These items suggest that the fort was a hub for trade, farming, and possibly social or ceremonial activities. However, much of the detailed archaeological evidence is still subject to further exploration and study.
Later Significance: The hill fort continued to be of some strategic importance throughout the centuries. There are indications that it was utilized during the Roman period, although much of its activity is associated with the Iron Age. Its location suggests it may have been part of a broader network of similar sites in the region, each serving as a point of defence and settlement.
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age evidence for the hill fort on Ingleborough Hill, though less abundant than later Iron Age findings, is still significant and contributes to understanding the site's role during this early period. Bronze Age occupation at Ingleborough has been inferred from several types of archaeological evidence discovered in the area. Here are the key elements of Bronze Age evidence found at the site:
Pottery Fragments
Pottery from the Bronze Age has been found in the vicinity of Ingleborough Hill, particularly in the form of handmade ceramic vessels. These fragments, often decorated with simple geometric patterns, suggest that the hill was used during the earlier part of the Bronze Age. This pottery is typical of the period, and such findings point to human settlement or activity in the area prior to the Iron Age construction of the hill fort itself.
Significance: Pottery fragments are an important indicator of daily life and settlement. The type of pottery and its decoration style can help archaeologists determine the era in which the site was in use. The presence of Bronze Age pottery suggests that the site, or at least the hilltop, was used for habitation or ceremonial purposes before the Iron Age.
Bronze Tools and Weapons
Bronze tools, such as axes and knives, have been found in the broader area of the hill, suggesting that the people who lived in the area during the Bronze Age were engaged in activities such as metalworking, farming, and possibly hunting. The presence of these tools is crucial because it shows that metal was being used by the inhabitants of the hill fort during the Bronze Age, which is a defining characteristic of this period.
Significance: Bronze tools and weapons are indicative of a society with advanced skills in metallurgy, which is one of the hallmarks of the Bronze Age. The presence of these tools on or near the hill fort suggests that the site was already in use as a settlement or a point of activity before it became a fort in the Iron Age.
Burials and Cremation Remains
While there are no large-scale Bronze Age burial sites directly on the hill fort, there are scattered finds of cremation burials or burial urns in the broader vicinity of Ingleborough Hill. These types of burials were common during the Bronze Age, where the dead were often cremated, and the ashes were placed in urns or spread over certain ritualistic areas.
Significance: The presence of these cremation burials and urns further suggests that the hill was used for ceremonial or ritual purposes during the Bronze Age. Burial practices often reflect the spiritual and social organization of a community, and these findings suggest the site may have been considered important by Bronze Age inhabitants, either as a place of settlement or as a location for ritual activity.
Stone Structures and Cairns
Some researchers have suggested that stone cairns or other simple stone-built structures may have existed on the hill during the Bronze Age. These cairns, which were often used as markers or burial mounds, could indicate a cultural use of the area by Bronze Age communities. Some of the stone structures at or near Ingleborough Hill have been interpreted as possibly predating the Iron Age hill fort.
Significance: Cairns and stone structures are often associated with ritual or commemorative practices, indicating that the site may have been important in the cultural landscape of Bronze Age communities. These features could have had both practical and symbolic purposes, such as serving as landmarks or markers for burial sites.
Flint Tools
Although flint tools are more closely associated with the earlier Neolithic period, their continued use into the Bronze Age is common. Some flint tools have been found around Ingleborough Hill, particularly on the lower slopes. These tools would have been used for a variety of tasks, from cutting and scraping to hunting and preparation of food.
Significance: The use of flint tools alongside bronze items suggests a transition period in which older technologies persisted even as new technologies, such as bronze metallurgy, were being adopted. The tools found in this area provide a snapshot of the technological continuity and change over time.
Environmental Evidence
While not directly from the site itself, pollen and sediment samples from nearby locations can provide insight into the Bronze Age environment. Analysis of these samples can show evidence of human activity, such as deforestation or the cultivation of certain plants. This type of evidence can suggest that the hill, or the surrounding landscape, was used for agriculture or pastoralism during the Bronze Age.
Significance: Environmental evidence helps to establish the broader context of the site, showing how Bronze Age inhabitants interacted with their environment. This evidence can indicate that the site was used for farming or grazing, possibly contributing to its selection as a settlement location.
Geophysical Surveys
Recent non-invasive geophysical surveys around the hill have detected anomalies that could indicate earlier Bronze Age activity. These surveys use magnetic or electrical methods to detect buried features without excavation. Some of the anomalies detected in the area around the hill fort could represent Bronze Age structures or activity, even if they have not yet been fully excavated.
Significance: Geophysical surveys are a valuable tool for identifying potential features without disturbing the ground. The presence of anomalies in the survey data can suggest that the hilltop or surrounding area was utilized during the Bronze Age in ways that may not yet be fully understood.
Conclusion
The Bronze Age evidence for the hill fort on Ingleborough Hill primarily consists of pottery, tools, burial practices, and environmental clues. While the site became more prominently occupied in the Iron Age, the Bronze Age evidence shows that Ingleborough Hill was an important location long before it became a fort. The presence of Bronze Age artifacts and features suggests that the site had ritualistic, ceremonial, and possibly early settlement functions, offering important insight into the area's cultural landscape during the early part of the second millennium BCE.
Iron Age
The evidence for Iron Age use at Ingleborough Hill, particularly within the context of the hill fort, is more substantial than the Bronze Age evidence, as the hill fort was primarily constructed and occupied during the Iron Age. The archaeological finds associated with this period give insight into how the site functioned and the activities that took place there. Here is a summary of the key Iron Age evidence for Ingleborough Hill:
Defensive Earthworks and Structure
The hill fort itself is the most prominent feature that points to Iron Age occupation. The fort's construction, with its defensive earthworks—such as ramparts (earth banks) and ditches—dates primarily to the Iron Age. The fort's strategic location on top of Ingleborough Hill suggests it was used for defense and possibly as a settlement or ceremonial site.
The fort's earthworks are highly visible today and consist of multiple enclosures, with the outermost rampart running along the hill's perimeter. The large-scale construction of the earthworks indicates that the site was heavily fortified and suggests a society focused on defence and territorial control.
Significance: The scale and sophistication of the earthworks align with typical Iron Age hill forts, which were often built in elevated and easily defensible locations. This suggests that Ingleborough Hill was used as a fortified settlement during the Iron Age.
Pottery
Iron Age pottery has been discovered at Ingleborough Hill, with typical forms found in the excavated material. The pottery includes both domestic wares, such as cooking pots, and more specialized items like storage jars. The pottery is typically made of hand-built clay and may be decorated with simple geometric patterns.
Significance: Pottery is one of the most direct forms of evidence for Iron Age use. The styles and decorations help to establish the timeline of the site, placing it firmly in the Iron Age. Pottery fragments are essential in confirming occupation and are used to identify domestic and economic activities that took place on the hill.
Iron and Bronze Tools and Weapons
Numerous tools and weapons from the Iron Age have been discovered on and around Ingleborough Hill. These include items such as iron knives, axes, and agricultural tools, as well as iron- and bronze-based weapons, which reflect the militaristic and agricultural nature of the community inhabiting the hill.
In addition to tools, evidence of weaponry, such as swords, spearheads, and other metal implements, suggests the site had a military or defensive function, as well as a focus on personal and communal protection.
Significance: Iron tools and weapons are indicative of the technological advancements during the Iron Age, marking a shift from earlier Bronze Age practices. These items provide direct evidence of the functional use of the site, both in daily life (agriculture, food preparation) and in defence (military tools).
Structural Remains
Excavations of the site have revealed the remains of circular and rectangular timber and stone structures, which likely served as dwellings or communal buildings. These buildings may have been part of a settlement that existed within the hill fort’s defensive perimeter.
The evidence suggests that these structures were constructed using wattle-and-daub techniques (woven wooden frames covered with mud or clay), along with stone foundations for more durable dwellings.
Significance: The discovery of structural remains adds to the understanding of how the Iron Age community at Ingleborough Hill lived. The existence of these buildings within the fort indicates that the site was not just a military stronghold but also a place for domestic life and social activity.
Animal Bones and Environmental Evidence
Animal bones found at the site offer clues about the diet and agricultural practices of the Iron Age inhabitants. These bones suggest the consumption of domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, which were raised for meat, milk, and wool.
Environmental analysis, such as pollen samples and sediment cores, has revealed evidence of agriculture and land use around the hill fort. These studies show that the area was likely used for farming and grazing, with a focus on managing the landscape to support both crops and livestock.
Significance: The evidence of animal husbandry and agriculture points to a settled, self-sustaining community that relied on both crop production and livestock. It suggests that Ingleborough Hill was not just a defensive outpost but also a place of livelihood, where Iron Age people managed their resources carefully.
Artifacts
A range of Iron Age artifacts has been discovered, including tools, ornaments, and items of personal adornment, such as brooches and pins. These items offer insight into the social practices of the inhabitants, as well as their trade and communication networks.
The artifacts found at the site indicate that the inhabitants had access to materials that were not locally available, such as exotic metals and possibly goods from trade with other communities.
Significance: These artifacts reflect the cultural and social practices of the Iron Age people at Ingleborough Hill. The presence of items like brooches suggests a degree of social stratification and personal ornamentation, while the broader array of tools and utensils shows a society with specialized skills in metalworking and crafting.
Human Remains
While there have not been large-scale burial sites discovered directly on Ingleborough Hill, there is evidence of human remains found in the surrounding areas. This could include cremation burials or other forms of burial practices typical of the Iron Age. These remains often provide insight into the health, social status, and daily lives of the people who lived there.
Significance: The study of human remains from the Iron Age can reveal valuable details about the physical condition, diet, and health of the population. Additionally, burial practices provide insight into the spiritual and cultural beliefs of the people, as well as their social structure.
Strategic Location and Function
The strategic location of Ingleborough Hill itself provides evidence of its Iron Age use. The elevated position allowed the inhabitants to survey the surrounding land and monitor activity in the valleys below, suggesting a role in defence, surveillance, and perhaps as a signal point for communication.
The fort's proximity to natural resources like water, wood, and grazing land suggests that it was well-placed to support a self-sustaining community with access to essential materials for daily life.
Significance: The fort's location highlights the defensive and communicative function of Iron Age hill forts, which were often situated in prominent locations to provide military advantage and control over the surrounding area.
Excavations and other evidence
The excavation of the hill fort at Ingleborough Hill and the surrounding areas has been undertaken by various archaeological teams over the years, with some of the most notable efforts beginning in the 19th century and continuing into modern times.
Early Excavations
19th Century: The earliest excavation efforts at Ingleborough Hill were typically more informal and driven by antiquarians and local historians. These efforts often involved surface collecting or rudimentary digs. Some of these early excavations identified Bronze Age and Iron Age artifacts, although the documentation was not as rigorous as in later years.
Findings: Early excavations uncovered evidence of Bronze Age pottery and flint tools, which were often recorded in reports or simply kept by local collectors. However, many of these discoveries were not properly catalogued or preserved, and the exact locations of some finds remain unclear due to the informal nature of the excavations.
Modern Excavations
20th Century and Beyond: The archaeological interest in Ingleborough Hill grew significantly during the 20th century, especially with the rise of more systematic excavation methods. Some of the more prominent excavations have been conducted by professional archaeologists affiliated with institutions like the University of Bradford and the Yorkshire Archaeological Society. These more recent efforts have focused on revealing the extent of the hill fort's structure, as well as uncovering Bronze Age and Iron Age materials.
Yorkshire Archaeological Society: The society has been involved in various excavations across Yorkshire, including sites like Ingleborough Hill. Their work, often in collaboration with local volunteers, has helped to shed light on the area's prehistoric occupation.
Findings: Modern excavations have revealed a wealth of material, including Bronze Age pottery, stone tools, and metal objects, which have been catalogued and analysed. This data has been published in various archaeological reports and journals, giving more context to the site's significance.
Key Excavations at Nearby Sites
While there may not be a single, large-scale excavation report exclusively dedicated to Ingleborough Hill itself, excavations at nearby sites on the Ingleborough massif (including caves and surrounding areas) have been significant and have contributed valuable insights to the understanding of the prehistoric landscape. For example:
The Ingleborough Caves: Archaeological digs in caves on Ingleborough Hill, like Ingleborough Cave and Simon's Cave, have produced substantial evidence of prehistoric occupation. These digs have yielded materials from the Upper Palaeolithic through to the Bronze Age, including human remains, tools, and pottery.
The Ribblehead and Blea Moor Areas: Excavations in these areas, which are located in the broader vicinity of Ingleborough Hill, have uncovered Bronze Age and Iron Age artifacts, further supporting the idea that Ingleborough was a significant site in prehistory.
Finds and Preservation
The findings from Ingleborough Hill and the surrounding areas, including both Bronze Age and Iron Age material, have generally been housed in local museums, including:
The Yorkshire Museum in York: The museum houses a large collection of prehistoric artifacts from around Yorkshire, including pottery, tools, and weapons from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some of the finds from the Ingleborough Hill area may be housed here or in associated archives.
Clapham Heritage Centre: Located near Ingleborough Hill, this centre holds some local archaeological collections and could have additional information about finds from the hill and its immediate surroundings.
The British Museum: While it may not hold the specific collections from Ingleborough, the British Museum maintains a wealth of prehistoric materials from the broader British Isles and may have some finds that were previously identified from the Ingleborough area.
Additionally, many artifacts found at or around the site are often kept in university or excavation project archives, where they are catalogued and studied. The documentation for these materials is often published in regional archaeological reports or in academic journals such as the Yorkshire Archaeological Journal or the Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society.
Publications and Reports
The findings from excavations at Ingleborough Hill are often published in archaeological reports, both regional and national. Some of the most important publications include:
"Excavations at Ingleborough Hill": Specific excavation reports may have been published in archaeological journals or as part of regional archaeological project reports. These would typically detail the excavation methods, the types of materials found, and their context within the broader history of the site.
"Prehistoric Settlements in the Yorkshire Dales": Such publications might discuss Ingleborough Hill in the context of the broader settlement patterns of the region, including the role of hill forts in Bronze Age and Iron Age societies.
