Monument record 1294 - Tatton Mere Mesolithic flint knapping site

Earliest evidence of Mesolithic activity at Tatton Mere comes from chance discoveries in 1979 by Mr D. Coombs and in 1982 when 3 flint flakes were recovered by a schoolboy from Knutsford in an area where the local children commonly went to swim. (1) (2)

A subsequent visit revealed that wave action had sorted the sand and gravel into a miniature beach, and amongst the shingle could be discerned dozens of struck flakes. The concentration of artefacts was sufficient to imply a site in the process of destruction by erosion. The relevant area along the beach was divided into 2m sections at 90 degrees to the bank, working to a limit from the shore of c.0.35m depth of water. Hand sieving of the sand and shingle recovered 530 pieces of struck flint. ()

Subsequent excavation in 1982, 83 & 85 divided the area into 10m square grids, divided into 1m squares for excavation purposes. It was the recovery of 155 pieces of flint from a single 1m square at the southern end of the original grid in what appeared to be a relatively undisturbed context that prompted further extensions to the excavation in following years. The recovery of about another 6,182 pieces in 1983 showed that this had been the correct decision. It was possible therefore to identify a concentration of material. The excavations in 1985 aimed to identify the limits of this concentration to the east and south-east, and a further 623 flints were recovered during 1985. (5)

A shallow-U-shaped pit (Pit 202) c. 3.5 x 2m was located in the area excavated in 1985, cut into the south-facing slope c.0.2-0.3m deep. Five possible stakeholes were identified at and around the northern edge of the pit, but positive identification was not possible owing to the extent of later root activity. The fill of the pit contained very few flints, suggesting that infilling occurred after the deposition of the flints had ceased. The eastern edge of the pit coincided with the periphery of the main concentration of flint, although it is probable that the digging of the pit here actively influenced the cut-off of the flint distribution. This was the only feature identified on the mere site. The flint concentration declined at the edge of a shallow pit 3.7m x 1.8m x 0.45m deep. Five stakeholes were found around the pit, which was interpreted as a shelter. (5)

The possible settlement site occupied position from which there was a good view along the valley in two directions for several miles. It was also in the lee of the higher ground, protecting the camp from the dominant cold east winds. There are no signs so far of any shelters or even wind breaks having been built. Flint tools were made on the site, although the flints would have to have been imported to the site as there is no natural supply nearby. They made a range of hunting tools, points and barbs to be fitted into arrows or light throwing spears. In addition they manufactured numerous scrapers and awls. (4)

<1> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 9/88-97 Higham N J 1983 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<2> Higham N J, 1984, Excavations at Tatton - 7th Season interim report (Unpublished Report). SCH7421.

<2> Higham N J, 1985, Excavations at Tatton - 8th Season 1985 (Unpublished Report). SCH1198.

<2> Higham N J, 1985, Tatton Mere Excavations Easter 1985 (Unpublished Report). SCH7418.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 1/40 Longley D 1987 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> Higham N J & Aylett P, 1990, A Short History of Tatton, p.1-2 (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH4950.

<5> Higham N.J, Cane T., 1997, The Tatton Park Project, Part 1: Prehistoric to Sub-Roman Settlement and Land Use. JCAS, p.4+11-15 (Article in Journal). SCH4939.