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Types of scowle range from deep irregular quarry-like features to amorphous shallow hollows. Shallow depressions could be either scowles which have been backfilled, or could represent subsidence of the ground surface above old mines or natural caves. Small pits with mounds of spoil associated with
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period – recognised that iron ore could be found in veins and pockets in the exposed rock faces. In some places, when the surface exposures were exhausted they followed veins of iron ore underground. The ore was then smelted locally, using locally obtained
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them probably represent different types of iron ore extraction in the vicinity of the exposed cave system, or people prospecting for iron ore away from the main deposits. Small circular pits without associated mounds might represent natural geological features.
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extraction, but investigation undertaken by the Forest of Dean
Archaeological Survey from 2003 to 2004 suggests that they have a primarily natural origin, which has been exploited by humans.
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Ecologically, scowles are now recognised as important wildlife habitats, being home to lower plants and ferns, bats and invertebrates. However, some are threatened by illegal
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Scowles have developed over millions of years. They occur in a broken ring around the central part of the Forest of Dean and are confined to particular geological outcrops of
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of the central Forest area permeated from the surface and deposited iron ore in crevices. The caves were then
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317:"Commonly used in the Forest to denote the sides of coal— and ore—pits which have fallen in" (A.H. Smith,
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They have traditionally been interpreted as the remains of prehistoric and early historic
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meaning a recess. Welsh was the main language in the area before about the 9th century.
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Scowles in the Forest of Dean – their formation, history and wildlife, (undated),
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are landscape features that range from amorphous shallow pits to irregular
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The most likely origin of the word "scowle" is that it derives from a
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hollows up to several metres deep and are possibly unique to the
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The
Scowles of the Forest of Dean: Archaeology Information Sheet
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Gloucestershire County
Council Archaeology Information Sheet
293:"Scowles in Dingle Wood 560m north west of Scowles Farm"
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Much later, humans – certainly from the
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188:Site of Special Scientific Interest
376:"Tolkien's tales from Lydney Park"
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297:National Heritage List for England
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147:meaning a cave or hollow, or the
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351:Gloucestershire County Council,
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425:Geography of Gloucestershire
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430:Geology of Gloucestershire
405:The Forest of Dean Scowles
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27:Type of landscape feature
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262:References
200:Puzzlewood
175:vehicles.
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303:22 August
141:Brythonic
126:River Wye
98:sandstone
79:open-cast
323:Folklore
204:Coleford
173:off-road
132:and its
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113:Iron Age
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382:23 July
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72:England
56:Scowles
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