MSO6853 - Late Mesolithic flintworking site at Larkbarrow Farm (Monument)

Flint core-trimmings have been found near Larkbarrow and donated to the County Museum, Taunton (56.A.49). [1] These are pebble core trimmings classified as Mesolithic/Neolithic by Mr. Hallam, who found them at SS 8215 4285, in 1956. [2,4] Six further flints were collected from the surface of the track in front of the Larkbarrow Farm ruins. [5] Several worked flints were recovered from the valley mire below the site in 2005. [11] A stratified chert blade and an unstratified flint microlith were recovered in a probable sheep scrape at NGR SS 82251 42827 in 2007-8. Both items were considered to be Mesolithic. [9,10] Further flint was discovered by archaeologists at ENPA, which led to the commissioning of a geophysical survey of the site in March 2008. The survey identified a number of potential archaeological features including at least one possible in situ burning event, as well as a number of possible circular features and a linear feature. It was, however, hampered by the presence of widespread fragments of shrapnel across the site resulting from artillery shell impacts during World War Two. Further flint was also recovered during this survey, including a micro-core. [11,12,15] The site was subject to evaluation excavations in Spring 2008. The evaluation was aimed at establishing the preservation of archaeological remains, particularly due to recent disturbance, and to recover a flint assemblage to allow assessment of the material and the establishment of a date for the site. Seven trenches of c.2m x 2m were opened. The excavations recovered 505 pieces of flint debitage and 75 retouched tools, classified as late Mesolithic but no datable deposits were encountered. The finds provide evidence that flint was knapped on site, with raw materials being derived from beach pebble (perhaps partly from Porlock Beach) and the tools produced being useable for a variety of purposes, suggesting the site was more than a hunting camp. However, no evidence of structures was noted. It was suggested the site may have been used by hunter gatherers also using Hawkcombe Head (MSO7889) as the flint typology is the same. 17 of the pieces of flint found here were of a honey coloured stone, whereas only 3 or 4 of this type have been found at Hawkcombe. [12,15] The combe south of Larkbarrow was subject to palaeoecological research and assessment. This included macrofossil analysis from a section. It was noted that the density of late Mesolithic flint work, adjacent to a high potential palaeoecological site, is unparalleled on Exmoor. [13] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [17]