The Fylingdales Stone

Unique Rock Find Amongst Archaeology Yielded by Moorland Fire

Archaeologists are pondering one of the most intriguing archaeological discoveries for some years after a fire revealed a unique carved stone thought to be 4,000 years old.

The find came to light after a blaze in 2003 at Fylingdales near Whitby consumed two and a half square kilometres of heather moorland before being brought under control by hundreds of fire fighters and a water-dumping helicopter.

However, in the fire's aftermath archaeologists were astonished to find a vast array of archaeological remains – uncovered by the intensity of the blaze, which burnt away much of the peat.

"The fire had a devastating impact, but it also revealed an astonishing archaeological landscape," said Neil Redfern, English Heritage Inspector of Ancient Monuments.