Description and History of Site:-
It is a typical, if large, sow-type clamp lime kiln consisting of a penannular bowl cut into a natural slope with a flue passage visible in the earthwork on the downslope side. It measures 4.7m by 5m at the rim and the central depth is 1m. The flue is lined with vertically-set sandstone blocks including five which are massive. The bowl is partly lined with limestone blocks and partly cut into shaped bedrock.

30m to the north-east isd the small quarry (22m x 13m) at SD 7453 5959, linked to the kiln by a broad trackway. The structure was excavated and recorded in detail in 2009. The bowl floor was found to have substantial deposits of lime ash and lime residue along with charcoal (used as kindling) and coal (the fuel) and charcoal was sent for radiocarbon assay, giving a date range for the last firing episode of the kiln of cal AD 1185-1280 at the 95.4% confidence level (SUERC-26208). This is an incredibly early date for a non-military lime kiln and it must relate to activity at Halsteads (a significant place-name) during its ownership by Kirkstall Abbey.

Further Reading and References:-
Johnson, D. 2009. How Hill, Halsteads, Dalehead, Slaidburn. Excavation of a clamp lime kiln. Data Structure Report. Unpublished report for the landowner.

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Key Words :- sow kiln lime burning medieval

Viewing the Site :- no public access or sight lines

Address :- Slaidburn, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB7
Grid Ref :- SD 7451 5945
Co-ordinates :- Lat 54.030403 , Long -2.390631
Local Authority :- Ribble Valley Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site extant - Protected status unknown
Site Condition :- Earthworks only
Site Dates :- unknown - c.1280
Record Date :- 26 February 2018

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © David Johnson