CURATORS and librarians in Craven have come up with a list of seven objects they believe best represent the area's civilisations.

The 'Magnificent Seven' include a diary written by a 19th Century mill worker, a Bronze Age ear stud, and the notebooks of Dr Geoffrey Rowley, Skipton solicitor and local historian.

As part of the BBC’s Civilisations Festival – a partnership between the BBC and museums, galleries, libraries and archives to coincide with the BBC Arts' Civilisations series in spring – curators and librarians at Craven Museum and Gallery, The Folly, Settle; and Skipton Library have chosen the objects from their respective collections.

And, they are calling on people in Craven to decide which of the seven is the most significant in the area's history.

To help people decide, curators, librarians and guest speakers will champion individual pieces at a grand debate, due to take place at Skipton Library, on Tuesday, March 6.

The objects will also be on display at Craven Museum and Art Gallery, in the town hall, throughout February.

County councillor Greg Write, North Yorkshire's executive member for libraries, said: “People should keep their eyes open for pop-up exhibitions of pictures of Craven’s Magnificent Seven objects and information about each item at libraries across Craven, so even if they can’t make the grand debate, they can still vote for their favourite object.”

In the week before the debate, there will be information about each object on the Skipton Town Hall Facebook page, where people will be able to vote for their chosen object, on Monday, 5 March 5, and on Tuesday, March 6.

The 'magnificent seven' are:

Ribblesdale Peat Spade - Being able to create fire for warmth, cooking and other uses represented a major landmark along mankind's road to civilisation. Peat was a vital source of fuel in Craven from monastic times and was available to rich and poor alike. Peat digging was a communal activity and specially designed spades were produced by local blacksmiths to different patterns for each dale.

Timothy Crowther’s ‘Spell Book’ - Timothy Crowther (1694-1761) was not only Skipton’s Parish Clerk but also the town’s astrologer. His 'spell book' was discovered in the 1880s by Skipton historian William Dawson, who believed it was the work of a wizard. In fact, it’s an example of Horary Astrology and provides an insight into the customs and beliefs that dominated everyday life in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Dr Rowley’s Research Notes - Dr Geoffrey Rowley (1921-1987) loved Skipton. Born and bred in the town, he spent most of his adult life researching its history. His collection of photos, research notes and papers, donated to the library by his wife, Valentine, are a momentous achievement and provide Craven with a fascinating and unique account of the buildings, institutions and people of Skipton.

Roman Amethyst Intaglio - This item was found in a Bronze Age burial mound (barrow) near Hellifield in 1885 but it is thought to date from the first century AD. Amethyst was highly prized in the Roman world, being traded from as far away as India. It has a skilfully engraved figure of Ulysses and was originally mounted on a ring. The owner would have used it to make an impression in wax to seal everything from contracts to household goods.

Jet Ear Stud - The Bronze Age jet ear stud was found in a burial cairn on Thornton Moor and gives a rare glimpse of jewellery from 4,000 years ago. It would have belonged to a woman of high status and is likely to have been made in the Whitby area where jet is found. It shows evidence of personal adornment, trading in the Bronze Age and skilled craftwork

Diary of Richard Ryley - Richard Ryley was a weaver in a cotton mill in Barnoldswick. His diary covers the period from January 1, 1862 to June 11, 1864, representing the hardest period of the ‘cotton famine’ caused by the American Civil War. He had many periods of ‘no work’ and ill health caused by his poverty, but kept himself busy with writing history books and reading. He was also a musician, going with friends on many musical excursions to earn money.

Tiles from Bolton Abbey - The tiles from Bolton Abbey represent the power of the monastic estates in medieval Craven. Founded in 1155 on lands from Lady Alice de Romille of Skipton Castle, the Augustinian Bolton Priory set the pattern for farming in the area, particularly sheep farming. Since the 18th and 19th centuries the ruins of the abbey have attracted notable painters and writers including Landseer, Turner and Wordsworth.

The grand debate on Craven's 'Magnificent Seven' at Skipton Library on Tuesday, March 6, will take place from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets are £1, including refreshments. Booking is essential. People will be able to cast their vote on the day.

After the votes have been counted, the winning object will be announced in the Craven Herald and on social media, at Skipton Library, Craven Museum and The Folly, Settle.

Like the libraries and The Folly people will be able to vote at the Craven Museum in Skipton Town Hall which will have the information panels on display. For those not able to make it to Craven Museum, the libraries or The Folly, one object per day will appear on the Museum’s Facebook page in the week preceding the debate and again on March 5 and March 6 they will be able to vote on the Facebook page itself at : facebook.com/SkiptonTownHall/

After the votes have been counted, the winning object will be announced in the Craven Herald and on social media, at Skipton Library, Craven Museum and The Folly, Settle.