Medieval field systems – Malham Cove

Description

Medieval field systems – Malham Cove MYD25386 (c) YDNPA, 2023

All around Malham Cove are the archaeological remains of early farms and their field systems. The earliest fields are probably Iron Age, but they are overlain by Medieval strip lynchets and terraces. On hillsides, the terraces provided a greater depth of soil in which to grow crops. Sheep and cattle would have been moved up to the higher pastures in the spring and summer, guarded against wolves and thieves by members of the family, while the rest of the family stayed on to tend the main farm. Malham village was probably founded in the 7th and 8th centuries by Anglo-Saxons, and their descendants would have continued to create the terraced fields that are still visible today. Villagers went on growing barley and oats in these fields well into the 19th century, and there are the remains of a corn mill in the valley just below where the footpath starts up to the Cove.

Reconstruction of medieval field systems – Malham Cove MYD25386 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Source:

Raistrick, A & Chapman, S E (1929) ‘The Lynchet Groups of Upper Wharfedale’ Antiquity. Vol 3 pp165-181