CRAVEN'S unique past is being dug up and recorded by a team of experts.

The local volunteers, led by Dr Roger Martlew from Leeds University, are using state-of-the-art satellite navigation techniques to build up a precise picture over the vast expanse of the Dales.

Many of the area's features are being recorded for the first time, including settlements, burial fields and ancient fields between Malham Moor and Wharfedale.

Dr Martlew explained how evidence of Roman, prehistoric and medieval activity was located by scouring aerial photographs for clues.

He said: "Some of the photographs date back to the Second World War and were taken by RAF pilots. From them we can pinpoint where to go on the ground."

Once the landscape has been plotted, a geophysical survey is undertaken which reveals what may be hidden beneath the surface without disturbing the ground.

Dr Martlew said: "The whole sequence of reasoning is that we can get so far by looking at the lumps and bumps on the surface, but we are not able to find out any more unless we try and recover artefacts and environmental evidence."

Volunteers include members of Upper Wharfedale Heritage Group and Malham History Group.

Now the team has honed in on a site they believe is an internationally important area of landscape heritage.

They are researching the area around Threshfield Quarry, which was first identified by local academic Arthur Raistrick 40 years ago.

Dr Martlew said: "The site is just to the south of Kilnsey, which we know was an important medieval grange. We have known for some time the area is very important.

"We are just starting to scratch away at the surface. The more we look the more we find. There is enough work to keep us going for years."

Discoveries so far have included house foundations, cairns as well as some unidentified features.

"We have found a few small strange features that haven't been recognised before. It's all aiding to the complexity of our understanding," added Dr Martlew.

Much evidence has been lost through quarrying, but the project will provide information to support the future management of the area. It is being funded by the North Yorkshire Aggregate Levy Scheme, which is paid by quarry and mining companies and provides support for projects in areas affected by their operations.

Dr Martlew will be giving a presentation about his survey and other archaeological work in the area next Friday (March 10) at the Soroptimist Rooms, Otley Street, Skipton at 7pm.

It is the first of a series of three presentations by experts on current research in Craven. Stephen Moorhouse will be giving a presentation on historic landscape survey on March 24, followed by a talk on excavations at Kilnsey Cave by Dr Tim Taylor on April 7. Places for all three talks can be booked for £15 or individually for £7.50. To reserve a place ring Dr Martlew on 01756 760821.