The rural landscape surrounding the east Lancashire Pennine towns of Burnley, Nelson and Colne conceals a significant amount of archaeological evidence for the prehistoric period. However, to date no cohesive archaeological survey has been carried out within this rich landscape.
Fortunately a recent archaeological survey (2013–2014) has changed this situation. By utilising 63 square kilometres of aerial LiDAR technology it is now possible to see into the lives of those who first settled within the district.
Within this book we see new evidence for features such as previously unknown hillforts, early settlement sites, stone circles, burial features, field systems and farmsteads.
To understand the prehistoric development of the subject area the archaeology is placed within a national and international context. From the Devensian Ice Age to the Roman invasion this area of the South Pennines was occupied by a far larger population than has previously been realised and the story of these early pioneers can now begin to be told.
