| Catalogue Finding Number | WYHER/12233 |
| 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 | Rock Shelter, Pule Hill, Marsden |
| Description | Rock shelter on Pule Hill (SE 3379 10523).
An archaeological assessment was made of the south eastern slopes of Pule Hill by Karl Lunn (WYAAS) in May 2013. The photographic images produced during the assessment are held in the WYAAS digital image archive (Lunn, K.R. (WYAAS). 2013. 'PRN12233. Rock Shelter, Pule Hill.SE0337910523. 13.05.2013').
During the assessment a feature was identified on a steeply sloping east facing incline at SE 3379 10523 (c.418m AOD). At this point bedded and weathered rock forms an outcrop c.10m long by 1.5m high with the land sloping down to the front and up to the rear. Roughly in the centre of the outcrop is a gully with a dry base and parallel side approximately 0.5m wide and 2m deep. Across the top of the gully from the front of the rock face to the rear of the gully stone slabs have been placed to form a roof. The slabs formed a horizontal layer being levelled in places by stone wedges inserted at the sides. Above the slabs, an acidic soil horizon had developed with a depth of around 30cm at the front. The depth of the covering material increased towards the rear so it appear from above to be the natural slope of the hill. At the rear of the gully's interior are jumbled or collapsed slabs within an acid soil matrix. The view from the front was panoramic with long views particularly up the Wessenden Valley to the south east.
The function and construction date of this feature is open to interpretation. It appears man made and could range in date from modern to ancient; with function ranging from a simple shepherd/keeper's shelter to prehistoric ritual site. The depth of the soil which has formed above the placed slabs does suggest an origin of some antiquity however. |
| Date | 21st century |
| Extent | contact the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service for information on what is available |
| Level | Item |