Fieldwalking 

A map of the fields walked. Please click on the image to see a larger and clearer map displayed in a separate window

A total of 7 fields adjacent to the Howick site were walked during Spring 2002. A total of 244 lithics were recovered from the survey. Most of the diagnostic flints could be ascribed to a later Mesolithic narrow blade industry and corresponded with the type of flint material recovered from the excavation site. All flint that could be sourced were shown to be beach flint, indicating that local stone procurement strategies took place during the later Mesolithic in this area.

Concentrations of flint material were able to be discerned even when the effects of soil processes and recovery biases were taken into account. The platform occupied by a crop-mark enclosure in Fields 1 and 2 formed a focus for activity, as did the higher ground in Fields 1 and 3. Overall, the flint counts were highest in areas proximal to and/or overlooking the Howick Burn which provides a ready source of freshwater. With distance from the burn the flint counts fell suggesting less concentrated activity/settlement in areas more distant from the burn.

A wide range of chipped stone types were evidenced in the assemblage. The primary stage of flint working was also prominent, indicating the importance of procurement and primary chipping in areas close to the coast which formed the source area for most of the material.

The fieldwalking team in action

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