LAST week's mystery object again defeated our readers, with no correct guesses.

It was part of an electric carbon arc light, which was made by Dr Arthur Raistrick in 1912 to replace a limelight burner.

Despite being apprenticed as an electrical engineer in early life, Dr Raistrick’s later education and life’s work was spent as a geologist and archaeologist.

He conducted research across the Craven area and wider Yorkshire Dales, and published extensively, producing many books, pamphlets, maps and plans.

He died in 1991.

Experts at Craven Museum and Gallery tell us: "Limelight could be created when an oxyhydrogen flame was directed at a cylinder of quicklime to produce an illumination effect.

"The potential this had for lighting was realised in 1926 when a device was produced to harness it. Limelight famously saw widespread use in theatres around the world between the 1860s and 1870s, giving us the phrase ‘in the limelight’.

"Arc lights were lamps that produced light through use of an electric arc between carbon electrodes in the air and although first invented in the early 1800s, did not replace limelight until the late 19th century. They were the first practical electrical light and were widely used for street lighting due to the high intensity brightness that they produced."

We are now inviting guesses on the identity of this week's mystery object. Suggestions should be emailed to news@cravenherald.co.uk

All items featured in this column are on display at Craven Museum and Galley, which is located in Skipton Town Hall.