Ancient Sites

Although there is evidence of man in the Mesolithic and Paleolithic times in Cumbria, archaeologists believe the earliest settlements in Cumbria were located around the coast and date from about BC5500. From about BC3500 neolithic axes were made in great numbers in the central fells of the Lake District and exported throughout Britain. Evidence of this has been found in the Langdale pikes and the Scafells. Artefacts can be seen in many of the Cumbria museums.

Stone circles are testimony to mans presence in this area during the bronze age (Castlerigg stone circle is an example). The majority of circles are located around the Lake Districts western edge and in the Eden valley. Prehistoric cairns and barrows are also evident, many located on the south-west area of the fells and near Shap.

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