Stone in Archaeology Database

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The stone was used not only for local building but also for York Minster, Ripon Minster, Beverley Minster and many other churches in the area (Ashurst & Dimes 1987: 97). Today it is used mainly as an aggregate, but most of the building stone is retained for building walls and fireplaces. On the whole this stone weathers well (although there are some exceptions). It has a fine grained texture, which sparkles when freshly dug, and is comparatively soft when quarried, but hardens on exposure. It lends itself to the attainment of clean arrises and crisply cut detail (Clifton-Taylor & Simmons 1987: 94).