With over 20,000  archaeological sites on Dartmoor volunteers play a big role in helping conserve, monitor and understand this hugely important landscape.

The biggest role volunteers play is undertaking practical conservation tasks to improve the condition of sites and repair damage. This often entails clearing invasive and damaging vegetation to help make the site more accessible or undertaking erosion repairs. Often the DNPA works closely with local conservation groups to deliver this.

Other volunteers help monitor the condition of sites, features, and archaeological  landscapes so we have an up-to

date picture of what is happening on the Moor.  Recently volunteers successfully  assessed the condition of Dartmoor’s Premier Archaeological Landscapes. This information is now being directly used to inform conservation projects and management schemes.

Volunteers can also help with researching Dartmoor’s past by participating in archaeological excavations and surveys. The DNPA conducts “community digs” where the public are very welcome to join in. Recently we have undertaken a successful “test pit” programme investigating a lithic scatter site near Lustleigh, and the partial excavation of a prehistoric stone row on HarfordMoor.

We also welcome volunteers who can offer specialist skills. For example, we are grateful to a drone operator currently undertaking an aerial survey of archaeological sites on DNPA owned land and we also have a very experienced volunteer who is helping update our Historic Environment Record.

If you are interested in volunteering to help conserve Dartmoor’s fantastic archaeology do please get in touch. Finally, a big thank you to all our volunteers who have helped over recent years and continue to commit their free time to help look after our National Park.

Article by A Crabb

7 June 2024