The Wetlands of South West Lancashire

This volume presents the results of archaeological survey in South West Lancashire, the fieldwork being undertaken between 1993 and 1996. It was carried out as a part of the North West Wetlands Survey, a comprehensive, seven- year survey of the lowland wetlands of North West England, which encompassed the counties and unitary authorities of Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, and Cumbria.

The survey used non-invasive approaches to identify archaeological sites of all periods across large areas of agricultural landscape, most of which had seen no previous work. The results of this survey are presented, along with the detailed results of several years of palaeoecological survey undertaken in the area since the 1970s, including pollen and stratigraphic analysis. In addition, the historical background to medieval and later landscape change is outlined. Prior to this, only a few finds and sites were known, mainly from antiquarian records and casual, more recent exploration. The description of more modern finds has been hindered by the inconsistent presentation of the evidence, however. The record was actually dominated by finds made during the drainage of Martin Mere in the seventeenth century. The survey has revealed a wide range of previously unknown archaeological and palaeoecological signatures, showing that the landscape was intensively occupied at key periods in the past. In addition, it has allowed assessment of the archaeological potential of the wetlands and observations on the nature of the archaeological record.

The first traces of Early Mesolithic activity have been found representing, it is argued, a meaningful pattern, with concentrations on the wetland edge, which would have offered significant environmental opportunities for early hunter-gatherers. The pattern is similar to that for the uplands, suggesting the traditional view of the upland/lowland seasonal movement of people can be questioned.

The evidence for activity in the early Neolithic period declines, although there are suggestions of continuity in landscape use from the late Mesolithic period. In the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age, the evidence is more diffuse, comprising scatters of flint across the landscape. The lack of monumental aspects within the archaeological record is significant, although it may relate to the early enclosure of the landscape. There may be real differences in the use of this landscape, with a genuine lack of material from the Shirdley Hill Sand. The presence of only small numbers of old records of stray bronze finds may mark an actual difference from other wetlands in the region. There is some evidence for the more intensive use of the landscape, through cropmarks, although the surface evidence may not reflect the underlying archaeology. In this, the survey area is very similar to other parts of lowland Lancashire. The Roman record follows this pattern, although there are tantalising records of deliberately buried stray finds from the mosses, which will repay further study.

The volume discusses the potential of the area and notes the degradation of the current landscape, both wetland and dryland. The authors also note however, the great potential of the undisturbed deposits, especially in remnant peats, and the palaeoecological potential of the small stands of peat surviving in the denuded landscape.