INGLEBOROUGH Archaeology Group has received a grant of £9,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to investigate a site that may be early medieval or monastic in date near Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

And the group, which is based in Ingleton, has secured an additional grant from Natural England, owners of the land.

The results of the project will add invaluable information to the growing body of knowledge already amassed by the group about early medieval settlement around Ingleborough.

Group chairman David Johnson told a meeting in Horton-in-Ribblesdale about other relevant excavations and research undertaken by the group and outlined what the project hoped to achieve.

It will involve members of the local community and the group in excavation and other practical activities over the coming months including free educational workshops and talks given by experts. It will also give those involved – young and not so young – the opportunity to acquire new skills and to learn more about the historic landscape.

Mr Johnson said: “The group is delighted to have Heritage Lottery Fund support and we are confident in being able to add a great deal to what is known about this area in the medieval period."

Working with Settle Quakers, the group arranged for five political refugees - from Cameroon, Eritrea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Senegal - to join in the project and for class two children from Horton-in- Ribblesdale Primary School to spend an afternoon at the site.

The excavation found animal bone, teeth and lots of charcoal, all of which can be dated, as well as three iron objects.

Refugee Samuel Yemane, who has a degree in archaeology, said: “For me, it is refreshing to work in my favourite discipline which I have been unable to do since I left my country Eritrea. It has helped to familiarise me with the methods and techniques that are used here. "

The project will run until April 2015 and full details can be found at ingleborougharchaeologygroup.org.uk