Cairns, Fields and Cultivation: Archaeological Landscapes of the Lake District Uplands

The detailed archaeological survey undertaken throughout the Lake District between 1982 and 1989 recorded some of the most remarkable field systems and settlements in England, mainly of later prehistoric date. The recording programme was set up primarily to provide for the management of these upland landscapes, and to ensure their preservation in the future. A secondary aim was to seek a greater understanding of the character of the occupation of the marginal lands of the Lake District and how this developed over an extended period. The survey programme was targeted on areas of known archaeological potential, particularly the South-West Fells and the Western Fells of the Lake District, but, in addition, several other areas were examined within the Northern Fells, the Eastern Fells, and the Southern Fells. The survey involved the detailed recording of the landscape by means of instrument survey, and examined 78 square kilometres of uplands, recording over 10,300 monuments.