The environmental history of a south Pennine valley : 1284 A.D. to present

This thesis is a multidisciplinary landscape history of a South Pennine upland valley. Previous landscape history research in the South Pennines is comparatively slight. Luddenden Dene, West Yorkshire, was chosen because initial investigation showed wel1-preserved landscape archaeology. Fourteen sites were selected for geoarchaeological investigation. Historical context was from primary and secondary sources. An unusually detailed environmental history was reconstructed, enabling identification of influences on landscape formation. Survey work shows this pattern may be widespread in the South Pennines and further afield. Limitations were imposed by the nature and chronological resolution of the sites, nature of the historical record and logistics. The sites provide a paiimpsest of evidence from ea, 1442 AD to present, whilst historical evidence extends discontinuously to 1066 AD. The history of the valley could be divided into a series of phases - Saltonstal1 (1284- ea, 1640 AD), Wade Wood (ca. 1640-1750 AD), Jerusalem Farm (ca.1750-1840 AD), Bilton Pier (ca.1840-1870 AD), Holme House Bridge (ca.1870-present) phases. In the Saltonstall-Jerusalem Farm phases, near-monoculture oak coppice and previously unknown mining, charcoal burning and iron smelting complexes were identified. Impacts included colluviation on hillslopes and fluvial aggradation on the valley floor. During the Bilton Pier Phase, cessation of coppicing caused a rise in oak pollen and iron production was reorganised. Later, beech pollen appears, reflecting ornamental and recreational use of woodlands. Contributions to knowledge include establishment of the first comprehensive landscape history for the period in an area which relatively has been archeological1y and historical1y neglected, and in providing new perspectives on the role of Medieval and post-Medieval activity in shaping South Pennine landscapes.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo