Northumberland hills were alive with tillers according to a new book
Submitted by vicky on Tuesday, 06 April 2004 Page Views: 1741
DiscoveriesPeople were thicker on the ground in much of rural Northumberland than is the case today. Archaeological research shows that farming was also more intensive and widespread than now. Cultivation around 3,500 years ago was taking place on hills at heights of up to 1,400ft."This implies a large population largely devoted to farming," said Newcastle University archaeologist Clive Waddington.
"Trying to imagine the barren Cheviot hillsides of today littered with farms and fields takes a great leap of imagination, but that indeed was the case.
"The intensification of farming and settlement was far greater than today and with no mechanisation and hand-digging many more people were needed to work the land,
"The population of many rural areas was substantially greater.
"It is astonishing to think that many of the valleys, particularly in the uplands, were much more heavily populated in the late Bronze Age and Iron Age than they are today."
Clive said that places such as the Breamish Valley in the Cheviots had Bronze and Iron Age populations anywhere between 10 and 20 times greater than now.
"If you extend that across the county you are looking at a much bigger population," he said.
Evidence in the uplands of the prehistoric farmers' round houses and fields has survived because later agriculture never again reached such altitudes.
Clive, with Newcastle University geographer Dave Passmore, has written a book which gathers together research and the evidence from excavations to plot the development of human society in Northumberland from 10,000 years ago to the coming of the Romans.
Ancient Northumberland, published by CountryStore, was launched at the weekend by Meet the Ancestors TV archaeologist Julian Richards. "The prehistoric landscapes of Northumberland compare with the best anywhere in Europe," said Clive.
"Northumberland is an extraordinary place, a land of stunning scenery and world famous archaeological heritage.
"Although best known for Hadrian's Wall and its many castles, the county is also home to the finest examples of prehistoric rock art in England, the greatest concentration of henge monuments, the largest number of hillforts and defended sites, and one of the best preserved Bronze Age upland landscapes in Europe.
"The book is dedicated to sharing what is known about the early inhabitants of this region - their way of life, their homes and monuments, and their relationship with the land."
Julian said: "The prehistoric archaeology of Northumberland has been a well-kept secret for too long."
Discovery led to hut reconstruction
The book launch event took place at the Maelmin heritage trail at Milfield, near Wooler, where prehistoric features have been re-created, based on information gleaned by archaeologists.
One of the reconstructions is of a hut where the outline emerged from excavations in 2000 and 2002 at Howick on the Northumberland coast, dating from almost 10,000 years ago.
The find pushed back evidence of human occupation of Northumberland by 2,000 years, although a harpoon made from an antler and found at Whitburn in South Tyneside is thought to be even earlier.
The hut measured 20ft in diameter and would have accommodated a family who made use of the food offered by the seashore, including seals, fish, shellfish and seaweed, and the products of the land such as deer and wild pig, birds, nuts, berries and leafy plants. More than 13,000 pieces of flint were found in the hut from the making of stone tools.
Another discovery was red ochre. This can be used as a sun block and to keep insects off the skin.
It also has antiseptic qualities and helps to staunch bleeding, and can be used as body paint.
"Once built, the hut was found to be spacious, warm and a suitable size for six to eight people," said Clive.
Unearthing the past
Around 6,000 years ago pottery began to be made and the production of food intensified.
An excavation at Bolam Lake revealed the remains of a fenceline and cooking areas around what would have been a timber-framed structure, possibly roofed with hides and which could have been put up in a day by mobile herdspeople.
The first burial mounds appeared and also henges, or circular earthwork monuments which are believed to have been ceremonial centres. The use of bronze brought a wide range of tools, weapons and ornaments while from the late Bronze Age to the Iron Age, many settlements began to be defended by wooden stockades, with hillforts home to extended farming families. One heated debate is over the purpose of burnt mounds. These involved heating stones in a hearth, placing them in a stone-lined trough and pouring water over them.
This gave off steam. Some archaeologists argue that this involved cooking while others believe the system served as a primitive sauna.
Source: IC Newcastle 06/04/2004
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