Greenlane Archaeology was commissioned to carry out an archaeological watching brief during the course of groundworks associated with the installation of the pipework, septic tank, and soakaway for a new toilet system at Matterdale Church, Matterdale, Cumbria. The site is located between Dockray to the south and Matterdale End to the north. Matterdale Church was granted parochial rights by the Bishop of Carlisle, John May, in 1580, after the parishioners had successfully petitioned for their own church since at least 1566. On the site of Matterdale Church was a House of Prayer prior to 1580, but without formal consecration. However, the fabric and architecture of the church building appear to be of much later date, likely c18th century which is possibly confirmed by a beam with an inscribed date: 1573 or 1753, the latter of which appears more likely as it tallies with the architecture of the building. The watching brief revealed a variety of features of archaeological interest, principally the remains of at least six graves, three of which were fully excavated whilst the other three were only partially uncovered. There were no skeletal remains or remnants of cloth or clothes fasteners; the only surviving evidence comprised of partially surviving timber from the wooden coffins. Owing to the lack of grave markers or headstones it appears likely that the graves date from the late 16th or 17th century. Obtaining an exact date for the burials is difficult though, given the poor preservation and acidic soil. Further assessment and analyses of the timber in order to obtain a dendrochronological or radiocarbon date and determine the species of wood used would thus be recommended.
Mace et al. (2025) studied this question.