Introduction

 

Many of these ancient sites can still be found in the outer edges of industrial towns such as Bolton, Burnley, and Manchester. Visitors may come across them without realising their historical significance. This guide encourages readers to explore and discover these sites for themselves, offering insights into identifying the Prehistoric heritage that surrounds us. As an added bonus, some of these locations are situated in some of the country's most untouched and stunning landscapes.

Environmental Factors:

The areas that provide evidence of Mesolithic activity are primarily located on the uplands of Lancashire, Blackstone Edge, Saddleworth, and parts of Yorkshire and Derbyshire. One key area that forms a central part of this historical development is the Pennines, particularly around Saddleworth. Plant remains found in the peat of the region indicate that the surrounding landscape was once covered in birch, pine, and oak trees.

During the period of 8000 BC to 6000 BC, Britain was largely covered by dense woodland, marking the Middle Stone Age, or the Mesolithic era. The variety of plants in these areas attracted a diverse range of animals, creating ideal grazing conditions for species such as deer, elk, aurochs, and wild boar.

The Mesolithic culture was predominantly a hunter-gatherer society, relying on the abundance of prey and seasonal migrations. This lifestyle led to a pattern of movement from upland to lowland areas. The prime locations for stone tool and implement discoveries were typically found on the upper slopes and river valleys. Most of the camps discovered were temporary enclosures used by nomadic tribes following seasonal migration patterns. This way of life continued into the early to middle Bronze Age in certain regions.

By exploring these areas, visitors can uncover the rich Prehistoric heritage that still exists in the landscape, offering a glimpse into life during the Mesolithic era.

Glossary of Prehistoric Terms:

Barrow (or Tumulus): A burial mound made from earth, stones, and other materials like chalk. Used for burial or ritual purposes.

Bronze Age (2000–800 BC): A period divided into three main stages, with key developments in tools, weapons, and burial practices.

• Beaker Culture (2800–1800 BC): Tribes introduced copper tools and weapons from the continent, alongside the practice of single burials in round barrows. Pottery styles from this time help define the Bronze Age.

• Early Bronze Age (EBA) (2700–1500 BC): The first stage of Beaker culture, including cord-impressed pottery types such as "All Over Corded" and "Maritime" styles, decorated with comb or cord impressions.

• Middle Bronze Age (MBA) (1500–1000 BC): Characterised by urn and pygmy vessels, alongside the migration of settlers from Europe, particularly from the Deverel-Rimbury culture, originating in Holland and the Rhineland.

• Late Bronze Age (LBA) (1000–700 BC): The period marked by the Urnfield culture in central Europe, leading into the Iron Age.

Cairn: A mound of stones, which can vary in size, from small markers to large artificial hills. Cairns were used as sepulchral monuments, or for defensive, ceremonial, astronomical, and other purposes.

Cist (pronounced 'Kist'): A small stone-built burial chamber, often found within a cairn or long barrow. Several cists may be located together in the same area. Artefacts found within cists can indicate the status of the person buried there.

Cotswold-Severn Culture: A Neolithic society known for early farming and chambered tomb construction, predominant in the Cotswolds and Severn regions.

Culture: The material culture, social structure, religion, and way of life of a particular people at a specific time.

Iron Age (550 BC – 43 AD): The period defined by the widespread use of iron for tools and weapons. This era marks the shift from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, though no Iron Age settlements are found within the scope of this guide.

Kimmeridge: Refers to the material goods, especially jewellery made from shale, found in the Kimmeridge area of Dorset. (See Snoddle Hill for further details.)

Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) (10000–6000 BC): A hunter-gatherer culture marked by the use of trapezoid flints and micro-burins. Evidence of Mesolithic activity has been found locally around Blackstone Edge and Saddleworth between 12000–8000 BC.

Neolithic (3000–2000 BC): A period of agricultural development and the creation of advanced flint tools, marking the shift from hunter-gathering to settled farming communities.

Palaeolithic:

• Lower Palaeolithic (1.5M – 250,000 BC): Early human ancestors began creating tools from stone cores and flakes.

• Middle Palaeolithic (200,000 – 45,000 BC): Early humans evolved, refining tool-making techniques.

• Upper Palaeolithic (45,000 – 10,000 BC): The final phase of the Palaeolithic era, marked by the development of more sophisticated tools and the evolution of modern humans.

This glossary provides a comprehensive overview of important prehistoric terms to help you understand the key cultural and historical periods that shaped early human development in Britain.