Scowle

Scowles are landscape features that range from amorphous shallow pits to irregular labyrinthine hollows up to several metres deep[1] and are possibly unique to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England.

[2] They have traditionally been interpreted as the remains of prehistoric and early historic open-cast iron ore extraction,[3] 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.

They occur in a broken ring around the central part of the Forest of Dean and are confined to particular geological outcrops of Carboniferous limestone and sandstone.

Ancient cave systems were formed underground, before iron-rich water from the coal measures of the central Forest area permeated from the surface and deposited iron ore in crevices.

Puzzlewood, and "Dwarf's Hill" at Lydney Park which also contains scowles, are said to have been inspirations for J. R. R. Tolkien's descriptions of Middle-earth forests in The Lord of the Rings.