| Catalogue Finding Number | WYHER/7455 |
| Office record is held at | Historical Environment Record, West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service |
| Held Outside WYAS | THE RECORD DESCRIBED IS HELD AND ADMINISTERED BY THE WEST YORKSHIRE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RECORD PLEASE CONTACT THEM ON 0113 535 0157 IF YOU WISH TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO VIEW THIS RECORD |
| Title | Preliminary Investigations at Skelton Opencast site (Temple Thorpe Farm) |
| Description | An archaeological appraisal of the Skelton opencast site at Temple Thorpe Farm (PRN 2292) was carried out by WYAS in 1989. The work involved geophysical survey, trial trenching and building inspection. An assessment of available date into the County Sites and Monuments Record suggested 3 areas which would require investigation;
1) River Terraces in the western part of the site where prehistoric flint concentrations had previously been recorded.
2) The vicinity of Temple Thorpe Farm, which may be the location of a preceptory of the Knights Templar.
3) The buildings of Temple Thorpe Farm which may have contained within the standing structure materials from the medieval preceptory buildings.
Geophysical survey of the river terraces produced no evidence for prehistoric settlement, and a trial trench in the area contained only a post medieval drain.
The area around Temple Thorpe Farm was subjected to resistivity survey and the results of this formed the basis of four trial trenches. These were designed to explore the nature of a possible building platform and a large ditch or moat that was thought to be in this area. The excavations succeeded only in demonstrating post medieval activity.
The buildings of Temple Thorpe Farm were constructed of brick and appeared to be of 18th century origin, with 19th century additions. However, one short stretch of heavily weathered limestone wall survived attached to the east gable of the stable and may indicate an earlier building.
No further information is provided in the report, and there are no detailed grid references or trench measurements. |
| Date | 21st century |
| Extent | contact the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service for information on what is available |
| Level | Item |