North East Yorkshire Mesolithic

English Heritage summaries. 2007/2008

EH Project Number:	3862EVAL
Funded Unit:	Tees Archaeology

Introduction
The general aim of this project is to reassess the Mesolithic archaeology of north east Yorkshire, within an area focussed on the upland landscape of the North York Moors and the adjacent Tees valley lowlands. The project is being carried out by Tees Archaeology in partnership with the North Yorks Moors National Park in a phased programme. Phase 1 was largely desk-based and was completed in 2006. Phase 2 consists of a programme of evaluation and is expected to run from March 2008 to September 2011; progression to a third phase (Excavation) will be dependent on the outcome of Phase 2.

Background
Mesolithic activity is generally under-represented in the archaeological record for northern England when compared to later periods (Adams 1996) and the area of north east Yorkshire is no exception, despite there being a concentration of sites on the North York Moors in particular. A number of these sites are prolific in their lithic assemblages (summarised in Spratt 1993), but they are predominantly situated on the central watershed of the moors and many of the peripheral areas have scant evidence for Mesolithic occupation. Furthermore,  the range of evidence is very restricted and comes principally from surface collections; few sites have undergone systematic excavation, particularly in recent years (e.g. Waughman 1996). Although palaeoenvironmental research in the area is well established (Simmons 1996), there has been very little sampling of archaeological sites, and hence there is no direct link between the environmental evidence and the lithics.

The project was initiated, therefore, to address the significant gaps in our understanding of the nature of Mesolithic occupation in north east Yorkshire in order to develop a better and more complete understanding which would also contribute to the changing picture of the Mesolithic nationally. The initial phase of the project included collation of existing data, including previously unpublished or unrecorded material, palaeoenvironmental evidence and lithic assemblages in the hands of private collectors. A database was compiled and sites were graded according to their potential. Following assessment of the resource, six types of location were identified for Mesolithic sites in the project area, but it was clear that further work was needed with targetted fieldwork to clarify both the type of occupation found in different locations, the relationship between different types of location and the overall chronology.

Phase 2 objectives
Phase 2 is the next stage and will evaluate a number of sites and zones of activity, with a view to identifying those with the greatest potential for detailed excavation to provide new evidence, in particular features, radiocarbon dates and palaeoenvironmental evidence.

The objectives of this phase of the project are as follows:

• To evaluate by field investigation, including both fieldwalking and test pitting, lowland sites in the Tees valley and along the coast in order to determine the extent of plough damage and identify sites with concentrated activity, surviving stratigraphy and features.
• To evaluate by field investigation three upland sites, in prominent locations and around spring head basins, in order to identify areas of surviving stratigraphy and features, and where possible identify factors which may affect site location and differences between different upland zones of activity.
• To monitor erosion across areas of moorland in the upland zone, including sites along stream gullies, in order to pinpoint poorly recorded sites and identify new sites.
• Where possible, to obtain palaeoenvironmental samples and material suitable for radiocarbon dating

Expected outcome of Phase 2
An important element of the second phase of the project will be an outreach programme aimed at volunteer involvement in both field investigation and the moorland monitoring programme, and raising public awareness and appreciation of the Mesolithic within the project area.

Phase 2 fieldwork is expected to produce a range of field data so that an assessment can be made of whether any sites have the potential to yield further information and satisfy the overall project aims through detailed excavation and analysis. These results will be used to enhance the area’s HERs, inform intepretation of the Mesolithic in the project area, and also to form the basis for future research.

Progression to detailed excavation and analysis in Phase 3 is dependent on sites with sufficient potential being identified, particularly those with both archaeological and palaeoenvironmental potential.

 

Bibliography
Adams, M. 1996. Setting the scene: the Mesolithic in Northern England. In P.Frodsham (ed) Neolithic Studies in No Man’s Land. Northern Archaeology 13/14, 1-6.

Simmons, I. G. 1996. The Environmental Impact of Later Mesolithic Cultures. Edinburgh University Press.

Spratt, D.A. 1993. The Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods. In D.A. Spratt (ed) Prehistoric and Roman Archaeology in North-East Yorkshire, 51-59. C.B.A.Res.Rep. 87.

Waughman, M. 1996. Excavation of a Mesolithic site at Highcliff Nab, Guisborough. Durham Archaeological Journal 12, 1-15.

 

This page was published on 16/05/2008