Description

In July 2008 an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Channel 4’s ‘Time Team’ at the site of Risehill, Raygill Farm, Cumbria (NGR 376676 489354). An evaluation comprising eight trenches sought to locate and characterise the navvy settlement and activity associated with the construction of the airshafts for the Risehill Tunnel, part of the Settle to Carlisle line. The evaluation highlighted the generally good preservation of the Site, although many of the buildings appear to have been of timber with only rough stone foundations. Specialisation and division of different parts of the Site between settlement and working areas was seen.
Trenches 1 and 5 were positioned to locate what appears to have been a residential hut. The bedding for a tramway that ran down the hillside to Raygill was seen in Trench 2. The excavation also uncovered a structure in Trench 3 that may have been the engine or boiler house. Trench 4 was situated on the southern edge of the square reservoir still visible as an earthwork just to the north of the trench.
Excavation of this trench also revealed the presence of a leat running parallel to the edge of the reservoir, suggesting that there was probably a network of water channels to direct water to the boilers, in order to create the steam needed to power the engines. Trenches 6 and 7 appeared to relate to the workshops noted at the Site, and possibly located the site of the blacksmith’s shop.
The evaluation results are of at least local significance, adding further depth to our understanding of the construction of the Settle to Carlisle railway line. A short summary of the results will be offered to the Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society for inclusion in the annual round-up of archaeology in the county.