Research

    • HILDENLEY LIMESTONE (click on link for full details of project)

      • To set up a database for examples of Hildenley Limestone found during other survey work.

      • High Status (Late Jurassic) limestone used/reused from pre-Roman(?) to late C19.

      • Odd blocks are being recorded in buildings many kilometres away from quarries.

      • Depositional origins still not understood but top may be equivalent to Coral Rag.

      • Research work on 'chalk-like' figurines at Hull Museum underway to identify rock type.

      • Recorded from High Status buildings by its absence, ie plundered and moved on.

    • LICHEN STUDY

    • For some time now, it has been apparent that there appears to be a correlation between church building stones and lichen cover. Notes from a preliminary meeting are available here.

      • To relate lichen cover to specific rock groups.

      • To relate lichen species to rock groups.

      • To produce a rock identification chart for potential non-geologists using lichen cover (not species identification).

    • CHURCH BUILDING STONES

      • To survey churches within defined geographical areas as:

      • - Central Yorkshire Wolds

      • - Holderness

      • - Howardian Hills

      • - Northern scarp from Malton to Flamborough Head

      • - Western scarp of the Yorkshire Wolds from Malton to the River Humber

      • To record building stone(s) used in the construction of named churches.

      • To build a resource base for named churches, stored electronically and as printed/photograph records, including information available from written records or on web sites.

      • To relate the age of the named church to the building stone(s) used.

      • To relate the use and reuse of stone to local and distant quarries.

      • To record churches associated with large estates and the 'import' of building stones from other areas of Britain and Europe.

      • To relate (where possible) the reuse of stone from archaeological sites.

      • To advice on suitable replacement stone(s) for repairs.

      • To promote the educational value of churches.

    • MOWTHORPE QUARRIES/SHERIFF HUTTON CASTLE

      • Archaeological, Geological and Historical research into the Castle and Source Quarries

      • Working with BGS on 'Lake Mowthorpe' and historical records as to transport of stone

      • Recent field work on bloomery sites (Medieval?) that used local Mid Jurassic coals and ironstones from Cleveland Ironstone/Staithes Sandstone Members (Middle Lias)

      • Field Walking has recovered Mesolithic flints and unidentified pottery shards

      • DMV at Birkdale Farm may be artisan working site (?)

      • Building Stone from quarries looks like Dogger but fauna is more like Whitwell Oolite!

      • Possible channel deposits cutting through Dogger during deposition of Whitwell Oolite?

      • Similar channels recently seen cutting into Dogger in Bilsdale

    • BRANDSBY ROADSTONE/SLATE

      • Surveys of quarries, walls and roofing 'slates'.

      • Both High and Low Status used/reused throughout history from medieval times to C19

      • Unique facies of the Scarborough Formation (Mid Jurassic)

      • Recorded by its absence from High Status Sites

      • Very few buildings are roofed in 'slates' often being replaced by tiles or West Riding(?) flags

      • Few examples found away from main quarry sites (now overgrown)

    • ROCK/FOSSIL COLLECTION

      • To collect samples for the Group and other interested organisations.

    • ROCK/FOSSIL COLLECTIONS HELD AT LOCAL MUSEUMS

      • To visit local museums to find historically recorded collections referenced to local geology, history and building stones.

    • VILLAGE/BUILDING SURVEYS

      • To select individual buildings or whole villages and circulate members to assist with survey using maps and historical data.