Blackheath Urnfield and Barrow, Todmorden – Calderdale, West Yorkshire: A Key Bronze Age Site
The Blackheath described as an Urnfield Barrow, is located north of the town of Todmorden in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, is an important archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age. Situated at an altitude of approximately 925 feet (282 metres), the site is found in a field known as Blackheath, which forms part of the Rive Rocks farm, lying behind Butt Stones. An old footpath crosses the field diagonally, with the barrow located to the north-west of the path.
The Blackheath site spans around 37 metres (121 feet) in diameter and is encircled by a bank that measures 7 metres wide and 0.5 metres high. At the centre of the site lies a ring cairn, which was excavated in 1898. Among the key discoveries were faience, jet, amber, and bone beads, as well as various pottery vessels and a tanged bronze knife. These valuable finds are now housed at Manchester University and Todmorden Library.
The outline of the site is faintly visible, although it is not recommended to approach closely, as the barrow is situated in the middle of the 6th fairway of Todmorden Golf Course. The earthen circular bank that once enclosed the site is part of what locals refer to as the ‘frying pan’ due to its shape. Excavations carried out in the late 19th century uncovered one of the most significant series of Bronze Age artefacts from the site, including two ‘Pennine urns.’ One of these urns contained a bronze pin, a knife, and a bone pin.
The pottery found at the site has been dated to around 1500 BC, placing the settlement squarely within the Early Bronze Age. Scorch marks found within the inner section of the settlement suggest that pottery may have been produced directly at the camp. Analysis of the pottery revealed that local stone, particularly Millstone Grit, was used as a ‘temper’ to reinforce the structure of the ceramics, providing valuable insights into the methods of pottery-making during this period.
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