Ingleborough Archaeology Group

An exciting programme of visits and walks is lined up for IAG members over the summer months before our monthly talks resume in September. A picnic at the deserted settlement of Thorns near Ribblehead (pictured) is scheduled for early June. IAG president Dr David Johnson, who led an excavation at Thorns in 2016 and 2017 involving members of IAG, will explain the site and the buildings before we enjoy a picnic lunch to celebrate the group's 30th anniversary year. We are hopin

As Ingleborough Archaeology Group marks its 30th birthday in 2026, we look back at some of the group's most important projects since its foundation in 1996. IAG's excavations and survey activities have covered thousands of years of activity in the Dales, from prehistoric monument complexes to Iron Age settlements, and from early medieval shielings to 19th century railway construction camps. Read about IAG's first 30 years in this special review. And more lies ahead in 2026 a

On 20 April 2026, Tony Hunt gave a presentation to the Ingleborough Archaeology Group on the use of drones in archaeology. Tony showed us how drones are used, and how he and his colleagues have developed a range of techniques to photograph visible and hidden features in the landscape.

Archaeologist Jamie Quartermaine presented a fascinating comparison of prehistoric landscapes in the Lake District and Wales in his talk 'From Cumbria to Cambria" on Monday 16 March 2026. Jamie, head of survey for Oxford Archaeology North at Lancaster, explained similarities and differences between the two areas, drawing on his experience of undertaking landscape surveys in the UK and abroad during the last 40 years.

The work of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Historic Environment Team was the topic for Ingleborough Archaeology Group’s February 2026 talk. Sarah Whiteley, YDNPA senior historic environment officer, described how her team manages the historic landscape of the national park through the planning process, agri-environment schemes and projects involving local archaeology and history groups. Ingleborough Archaeology Group is celebrating its  30 th  anniversary in 2026. For mor

Archaeologist Jan Harding presented a fascinating online talk on Monday 19 January - " The Neolithic and Bronze Age mega-monument complex of Thornborough, North Yorkshire ". Jan explained the complexity of the monuments, built alongside the River Ure, which include the famous late-neolithic henges, plus an enigmatic cursus (which predates the henges) and round barrows which date from the bronze age. IAG is planning to arrange a visit to Thornborough later this year.

See the Projects page for ainformation about the various activities planned for 2026.

Ground-Penetrating Radar Survey September 2025: GPR survey was undertaken to the south and east of area where the Helicon Mosaic was uncovered in the 1840s. This work extends the GPR survey undertaken in 2015–17 and our previous fluxgate gradiometry survey of the area. It provides new information about the building that housed the mosaic as well as the terracing of this part of the Roman town. Full details here .