^{CULTURAL HERITAGE}
Moorland Projects

SAMs@Risk

• Field based condition survey of all 206 Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) on Exmoor
• This data is to be used to inform the management of these sites during the next five years
• Using the Monument Management Scheme to improve the condition of sites in either poor, declining or bad condition
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  Timescale: Condition survey complete, management ongoing
  Contact: rwilson-north@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
  Partners: Exmoor National Park Authority, English Heritage

• Investigating the archaeology of exploitation and working of iron on Exmoor by the University of Exeter
• Four year programme of excavation on sites across the Park
• Documentary research of sources and evidence
• Publication of an in-depth report into the exploitation of iron on Exmoor from the prehistoric to the post-medieval period
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  Location:
  Site at Burcombe  Site at
  Timescale: Excavations complete, reports and data being processed
  Contact: G.Juleff@exeter.ac.uk
  Partners: Exmoor National Park Authority, University of Exeter, English Heritage

• Archaeological investigation of a 6000 year old Mesolithic hunter-gatherer site on Hawkcombe Head by staff and students from University of Bristol
• Assessing the wider Mesolithic landscape and looking at the use of the land 6000 years ago
• Widening participation programme to encourage young people to study archaeology at University of Bristol
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  Location:
  Hawkcombe Head
  Timescale: Ongoing
  Contact: rwilson-north@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
  Partners: Exmoor National Park Authority, University of Bristol

• Pilot project by Dr Ralph Fyfe (2005)
• Collecting samples and peat cores from moorland areas across Exmoor National Park
• Measuring peat development and growth
• Analysing the pollen and environmental data in order to produce detailed information about the changing climate and condition of Exmoor’s moorland
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  Timescale: Ongoing
  Contact: rwilson-north@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
  Partners: Exmoor National Park Authority, University of Exeter
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  Further reading:
  Palaeoecological potential of Exmoors moorlands (PDF, 4.86 MB)

• Geo-physical and detailed survey of Bronze Age Stone Settings and the wider landscape in which they are set
• To increase understanding of these prehistoric ritual monuments that are unique to the Greater Exmoor Moorland
• Joint project between The University of Leicester, University of Bristol
• Enable us to protect and conserve these vulnerable landmarks with a more detailed knowledge of occurrence, location and extent
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  Timescale: Ongoing
  Contact: rwilson-north@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
  Partners: University of Leicester, University of Bristol

• To ensure that archaeologically sensitive areas are not subjected to detrimental impact due to the new rights of Open Access
• Identify areas of concern
• Survey, in conjunction with English Heritage, sites regarded as potentially sensitive
• Monitor condition and levels of erosion due to visitor pressure on archaeologically sensitive sites
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  Timescale: Initial assessment done, survey and monitoring ongoing. Survey of Shoulsbarrow Castle discovered a previously unknown Stone Setting.
  Contact: rwilson-north@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
  Partners: Exmoor National Park Authority, English Heritage