The Landscape Archaeology of Knettishall Heath, Suffolk and its Implications

ABSTRACT

This paper briefly describes the results of archaeological fieldwork carried out in an area of heathland, currently managed as a nature reserve, in East Anglia. Although the earthworks recorded are for the most part unremarkable, they demonstrate the variety and intensity of human exploitation which shaped this ‘traditionally managed’ habitat. They also serve to emphasise the extent to which modern conservation management can radically change the long-term character of individual places.

KEYWORDS:

• heaths
• nature conservation
• ploughing
• traditional management
• earthworks

Acknowledgement

The research described here was carried out as part of a larger project, ‘Breaking New Ground’, which was funded by the HLF (Heritage Lottery Fund). We would like to thank Tim Holt-Wilson, for useful geological advice; and Samantha Gay and Steve Aylward of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, for their help and encouragement.

Notes on contributors

Tom Williamson is Professor of Landscape History at the University of East Anglia and has written widely on landscape archaeology, environmental history and the history of landscape design.

John Bumstead, Jayne Frost, Lynsey Owens and Steve Pease are volunteers at Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve, and have known the local landscape for many years.