18th-Century Lime Kiln Uncovered in Northern England

YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND—Teeside Live reports that a limestone kiln has been uncovered on a farm in North York Moors National Park. The structure likely dates to the eighteenth century. Limestone from a nearby quarry would have been fired in the kiln to produce lump lime, or quick lime, which was spread over local farmland to improve it. Landowners Elaine and Dave Newham said that although the kiln was marked on an old map, it was not clear if any of the structure had been preserved. Archaeologists cleared vegetation and rubble covering the kiln, and determined that its mouth and main brick-lined firing chamber had been well preserved. “While lime kilns are not an unusual sight in the North York Moors landscape, they remain an important link to our agricultural and industrial past,” commented Dave Arnott, Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer. To read more about the archaeology of Yorkshire, go to "Leisure Seekers."