THE Friends of Ilkley Moor organised an archaeology walk on Saturday, August 7 led by Alex Gibson, for people to discover the rich archaeology of Ilkley Moor.

This strenuous walk started from White Wells car park with an uphill climb to the Twelve Apostle stone circle. The enclosure and several cup and ring marked rocks were explored, with lots of informative discussions and talks taking place about these ancient monuments.

The Cow and Calf Rocks and Lanshaw Delves are Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS). Since the Stone Age people have lived on the Moor. The rich evidence of pre-historic settlement on the moor is recognised by the number of carved stones designated as national Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs).

The most important group of archaeological sites to be found on Ilkley Moor are carved rocks, also known as cup & ring marked rocks. Dating mostly from the Bronze Age (4500 to 2700 years ago), they are part of a much larger and internationally famous group to be found all across Rombalds Moor. Interest in them dates back to Victorian times but there is still very little known about them. While we may not know their exact purpose or meaning it is still remarkable to think that the same hands that made them were also working the landscape, helping to help create what we see today. Fortunately their importance has now been recognised and are protected as Scheduled Monuments.

Many other archaeological sites have been found all across Ilkley Moor with a particularly high concentration to be found on Green Crag Slack.

At its most westerly extent lies Backstone Beck Enclosure, the remains of a settlement site that dates back possibly to Late Neolithic times (5000 to 4200 years ago). This was partially excavated in the 1980’s when a lot of flint artefacts were found, some of which had been worked into arrowheads and other tools. These are occasionally found on pathways by walkers who report their finds to the Manor House Museum , Castle Yard, Ilkley.

Friends of Ilkley Moor Project Officer Tracy Gray said: "It was a very informative event enjoyed by everyone who attended.”

Anybody who is interested in attending future events or volunteer days please contact Tracy Gray, FOIM Project Officer on 07780535860 or tracy@ilkleymoor.org