Source/Archive record SEM8201 - Principal Archaeological Landscapes on Moorland in Exmoor National Park: Assessment and condition survey

This report presents the results of fieldwork monitoring and assessing the condition of Exmoor’s moorland Principal Archaeological Landscapes (PALs). It discusses the background to the designation of the PALs as well as providing a justification for their boundaries and outlining issues which are likely to affect their condition. It acknowledges that current and future work is likely to add significantly to the understanding of Exmoor’s archaeology and that as a result the PALs should have some flexibility in their boundaries. The report provides case studies for each of the five criteria identified by Fyfe and Adams (2008) in their report, formalising the 37 moorland PALs now recognised on Exmoor. In addition this report provides a gazetteer of each PAL, outlining its principal significance, reason for designation and highlighting issues affecting its condition. A photographic record and location map is provided for each PAL. It concludes that assessing the condition of the PALs is complex and while the issues of vegetation and scrub encroachment, land management and human/livestock erosion or damage have emerged as the most prevalent, the relative severity of issues affecting condition of the PALs varies. The report recommends the involvement of Exmoor National Park Authority, Historic England and Natural England officers in evolving management plans for the PALs where this is appropriate, as well as suggesting that condition monitoring of the PALs should be undertaken at least every five years.