Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 February 2014
The occurrence of mesolithic artefacts around Malham Tarn and Great CloseMire has been noted from the 1920s onwards. Pollen analysis at Tarn Moss tothe west of Malham Tarn in the 1950s indicated that forest clearance hadbegun during Zone VI (c. 7000–5500 bc). Between 1972 and 1982, five prolificflint sites and a sixth, minor site were located in this area. The sites areof ‘Narrow Blade’ affinities and may have formed a summer base camp forhunter/gatherer groups operating in the Craven Pennines. Some artefacts ofneolithic date have been found on the sites and this may indicatecontinuity. There is evidence for forest clearance and settlement in thelater neolithic and this was well established by the Early Bronze Age.