Dartmoor National Park hosts flint tool discovery event

Dartmoor National Park (DNP) has announced an opportunity for members of the public, landowners, and farmers to delve into the prehistoric past. 

On Saturday, July 27, from 10am to 3pm, the Postbridge Visitor Centre will host a free drop-in event where experts will help identify and record prehistoric flint tools found on Dartmoor.

This event is a collaboration between the Dartmoor National Park Authority and University of Leicester archaeologist Emma Stockley, who is conducting PhD research into lithic scatters and Dartmoor's hunter-gatherer history, spanning from 11,000 to 6,000 years ago.

Most prehistoric evidence comes from stone tools, primarily made from flint. Archaeologists refer to these tools and the waste from their creation as ‘lithics’. 

These lithics provide insights into how early people lived and interacted with their environment. 

Different types of lithics correspond to specific time periods, helping archaeologists pinpoint when various human activities occurred.

Emma said: “Many of Dartmoor’s lithics are from Mesolithic hunter-gatherers but others will date to the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods. Lithic scatters can tell us how hunter-gatherer and later communities made use of Dartmoor and how this use changed over time. As lithic scatters are often associated with archaeology including palaeo-environmental remains, it's so useful for us to know where lithics are found on Dartmoor.”

“If you’ve found lithics on Dartmoor, please come to our drop-in event at the visitor centre in Postbridge. We can give you more information about your finds and record where they have been found. This could help us to identify new sites.”

Dartmoor National Park Archaeologist Dr Lee Bray added: “Very little is known about Dartmoor's earliest inhabitants which is why this period has been identified as a research priority for the National Park.

“By asking for the public's help, we hope to obtain a clearer picture of areas of the moor where this type of archaeology is found.”

The Postbridge Visitor Centre, the venue for the drop-in event, is rich with displays and exhibitions showcasing Dartmoor's cultural heritage. 

It also features a History Hunters walking trail through nearby Bellever Forest, providing an immersive experience into the area's storied past.

The drop-in event coincides with the centre's annual History Hunters Family Funday, which takes place this Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm. 

This free event celebrates Dartmoor’s remarkable heritage, offering a fun and educational day out for families.

Emma said: “We can provide more information about your finds and record their locations, which could help us discover new archaeological sites.”

For more information about the lithics event and the History Hunters Family Funday, DNP have said to visit the Dartmoor National Park website or stop by the Postbridge Visitor Centre.