HEATH Project launches new archaeological booklet & advice leaflet

Guidance on conserving the archaeology and historic landscapes on West Cornwall’s heathland has been put into perspective in a new booklet produced by the Historic Environment Service (HES).

The new booklet, written by Graeme Kirkham of HES at Cornwall County Council, was launched last week to promote ways of positively managing the rough ground in west Cornwall, without damaging archaeological and historic landscapes. A few key elements include tackling damaging vegetation, re-introducing cattle grazing, caring for historic structures, working with the historic environment, producing a management plan and monitoring the effects.

To many people, the moors and downs we see today are ‘wild’ and ‘natural’. In fact, they are the legacy of our ancestors who, for thousands of years, cleared, worked and farmed on the landscapes. Rough ground and its distinctive heathland vegetation originated with the clearance of woodland by prehistoric farmers and during the subsequent 4,000 years were vitally important to the farming economy in providing rough grazing for cattle and other livestock. Other human uses of the heaths and moors have included the sourcing of fuel in the form of peat and gorse, bracken for animal bedding, building materials and mineral wealth.

The booklet has been produced with funding from the HEATH Project and English Heritage following the identification of a number of key areas in west Cornwall where the archaeology is rich and sensitive management is essential to maintain its valuable resources. The key aim of the booklet is to provide guidance to farmers and land managers of heathland in west Cornwall, whilst also being of interest to the general public, particularly those with an interest in the archaeology of west Cornwall.

Ann Reynolds, Senior Archaeologist (Countryside Advice) at HES, says: “This booklet will be an invaluable guide to farmers and land managers of moorland and heath throughout Cornwall. Management of such areas is beneficial for the local farming economy, biodiversity, and the wider landscape, as well as the historic environment. The moorland has been shaped through thousands of years of human activity, as seen by the remains of prehistoric field systems, round houses, ritual and burial monuments and extensive mining activity which can be found at these locations. It is important to maintain and support this tradition of management to ensure the protection of this important landscape for future generations. This guide is part of this process, acting as a handy reference for good practice management of the archaeological sites and landscapes”.

At present, copies of the free booklet are in the process of being distributed to various locations around the county, including visitor centres, libraries and council offices. You can also download an electronic copy from the HEATH Project’s website: www.heathproject.org.uk

Also now available at visitor centres and as a download from the website is the recently launched HEATH Project’s ‘Top Tips for Walking Amongst Livestock’ leaflet which gives sound advice on what to do if you come across grazing livestock whilst walking in the countryside.

Callum Deveney of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, comments: “The re-introduction of grazing animals to Cornwall's heathlands is a fantastic boost for the county's wildlife. A whole range of species, from birds to butterflies, will benefit from the resumption of this traditional form of management. For members of the public, whether excited or daunted by the prospect of meeting livestock on their favourite walk, this 'Top Tips' leaflet offers expert advice and I hope it will help people to understand and enjoy seeing grazing animals at their local heathland sites."