People, Places and Prehistory in Swaledale

Book excerpt: Helen Bainbridge takes us on a wonderful journey through the written history of prehistoric Swaledale, from a time when flint arrow heads were thought to be petrified thunderbolts, through the early and surprisingly perceptive antiquarians, and the certainties of the digging and writing clergymen, to the ground-breaking work of Robert White, Andrew Fleming and Tim Laurie which has inspired the 21st century investigation you can explore on the SWAAG website. We now know that good history and archaeology raise more questions than they answer, but the journey remains as exhilarating as ever. This publication will be of interest to both newcomer and well-seasoned enthusiast to the history of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale. Drawing upon a wide range of text focussing on local prehistory, fact, fiction and anecdote are connected with actual finds to create a lively trawl through time. Many of the illustrations have never been published and draw upon the riches of the Swaledale Museum archive.