Hildenley

The following is a draft project proposal produced in 2009:

Hildenley

Introduction

Hildenley Limestone (Late Jurassic) is a fine pure white limestone deposited in a localised small faulted basin within the Howardian fault belt. It has been used since Roman times for statues and as a high status building stone with recorded examples of primary and secondary use/reuse throughout Eastern Yorkshire. The quarries at Hildenley are the only known exposure of this rock and so are important not only in our understanding of the contrasting depositional environments of the Late Jurassic but also in its use as a premier building stone.

Research Project

It is proposed to set up a multi disciplinary Research Project in all aspects of Hildenley Limestone and its quarries. The final draft either of the project to publish privately or as a paper in the journal of a local Association or Society.

Research Areas

• • Archaeology - pre Roman

  • Archaeology - Roman

  • Archaeology - post Roman

  • Archaeology - Industrial

  • Barrens' Oral History

  • Brickworks

  • Botany

  • Geology

  • Hildenley Hall

  • Hildenley Limestone - classification and stratigraphy

  • History of Site

  • Holy Wells

  • Hildenley Limestone Lichen Study (see project 2 - Lichens)

  • Local Church Survey

  • Local Building Survey

  • Location map(s) and aerial photographs

  • Museum searches for fossils and other records

  • National use of Hildenley Limestone

  • Quarries

Geo-classification of Hildenley Limestone and Quarries

• • Geo - Archaeological (archaeological evidence for use of stone and immediate site)

  • Geo - Economic (evidence for the economic extraction of stone and brick making)

  • Geo - Education (Key Stage 4 to)

  • Geo - Conservation (all aspects of the site need some form of protection)

  • Geo - Historic (history of geological investigation and recording)

  • Geo - Research (wide potential for research into origins and use/reuse as building stones)

Methods

• • On site investigations and recording

  • Literature searches and records

  • Building surveys and recording

  • AV records and archives

  • Creation of a data base

  • Oral history records

  • Museum and other institutions artefact and fossil searches

Resources

• • Published literature

  • Maps

  • Photographs

  • Geophysics surveys

  • Oral History

  • Online resources

  • Museums and other Institutions collections and archives

Funding

It is proposed to apply for grants to fund the project from a number of providers. Estimated costs: £500 - £1000 (excluding publishing costs) as

• • Duplicating

  • Photography

  • Maps

  • Data Base set up

  • Travel costs

  • Geophysical survey

Members of Research team for both field and research

• • Archaeologists

  • Mr and Mrs Barren (jnr) and Mrs Barren (snr)

  • Botanists

  • Builders, architects and stone masons

  • Geologists

  • Historians

  • Individual Researchers

  • Interested individuals and groups

  • Local Museums

  • Members of local Associations and Societies

  • Local Authority and National Government Officers and Departments

References

The list is long but a comprehensive reference source can be found at: Google books - search for 'Hildenley'.

Volunteers

If circulated members are prepared to volunteer to undertake any of the research areas please contact the coordinator to whom interim and final reports should be sent. The reports can be as short as a note on a building or a reference found in a book.

Documents

• • Hildenley Quarries and Slingsby Castle (2003, revised 2007)

  • Update on Hildenley (2008)

  • Meeting at Hildenley with PLACE/FWAG (19 April 2009)

Richard Myerscough, Coordinator