“Understanding historic landscapes through time, place, and evidence.”

The Kit Hill Landscape Project

Project Overview

The Kit Hill Landscape Research Project is an independent historical research initiative examining Kit Hill in east Cornwall as a multi‑layered historic landscape. The project takes a long‑term view of human interaction with the hill, exploring how patterns of use, exploitation, and interpretation have shaped the landscape from prehistory to the present day.

Kit Hill has been subject to repeated phases of activity, including prehistoric burial and land division, medieval and early modern agriculture, and intensive eighteenth- and nineteenth‑century mining and quarrying. These successive periods of use have left a complex array of physical remains and spatial relationships, many of which remain visible within the modern country park. Together, they form a landscape that reflects both continuity and transformation over time.

Rather than focussing on individual sites or features in isolation, the project approaches Kit Hill as a historic landscape. This perspective recognises that meaning is created not only through monuments and industrial remains, but also through movement, land management, memory, and later reinterpretation. By situating archaeological and historical evidence within their wider environmental and social contexts, the project aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Kit Hill’s significance.

The research underpinning the project combines documentary analysis with landscape‑based observation. Archival and secondary sources are used alongside close examination of topography and surviving features to explore how economic priorities, social practices, and environmental conditions shaped the hill at different points in time. Particular attention is given to how earlier phases of activity influenced later uses and perceptions of the landscape.

The Kit Hill Landscape Research Project is interpretative and ongoing in nature. It does not seek to replace existing scholarship or official site interpretation, but to complement them by offering a research‑led examination of Kit Hill that is grounded in historical evidence and current academic approaches to landscape history.

Research Aims

The project aims to:

• Develop an integrated understanding of Kit Hill as a multi‑period cultural landscape

• Advance non‑intrusive landscape methodology using digital and documentary evidence

• Synthesize existing archaeological and historical material within a landscape framework

• Contribute responsibly to the Cornwall Historic Environment Record (HER)

• Establish a durable foundation for long‑term academic research and publication

Rather than focusing on individual sites in isolation, the project examines relationships, patterning, and change across the landscape as a whole.

Dowling, D. (2023) Kit Hill summit view.

© Danielle Dowling, all rights reserved

What is the Kit Hill Landscape Research Project?

It’s an independent research project exploring Kit Hill as a historic landscape shaped by human activity over a very long period of time. The focus is on understanding the hill as a whole, rather than single sites in isolation.

Is this an archaeological excavation project?

No. All work is non-invasive. There is no digging or disturbance. Research is based on walkover survey, landscape observation, historic documents, maps, and digital tools such as LiDAR.

Why are some features hard to find on the ground?

Many historic features on Kit Hill are subtle and have been affected by time, weather, and later activity. Some were never meant to be highly visible, and others are deliberately left unmarked to help protect them.

Why aren’t exact locations always shown publicly?

Sharing precise locations of fragile historic features can unintentionally cause damage. To protect the landscape, public information focuses on wider patterns and understanding rather than directing people to specific spots.

Can I visit Kit Hill myself?

Yes. Kit Hill is a public access site, and people are welcome to enjoy it responsibly. The project encourages visitors to stay on established paths and treat the landscape with care.

Who runs the project?

The project is led by independent researcher Danielle Dowling and is carried out in line with accepted heritage and conservation principles.

Will there be updates?

Yes. This website and blog will be updated as research continues, with news, reflections, and project milestones shared along the way.

Researcher Profile

Researcher and Project Contextually 

This project is conducted by Danielle Dowling, an undergraduate student of History and a student member with CIfA ( Chartered Institute for Archeology ) with a particular interest in landscape history, industrial heritage, and historical interpretation. The Kit Hill Landscape Research Project forms part of ongoing academic study and reflects current historiographical approaches to the study of historic environments.

The research is undertaken independently. Emphasis is placed on methodological transparency, critical engagement with sources, and responsible interpretation. While the project engages with public history, it is grounded in academic research practices rather than tourism or commercial heritage presentation.

Alongside academic interests, the researcher is committed to making historical research accessible and ethically presented. This includes an awareness of the importance of conservation, respectful site use, and the value of local knowledge as part of wider historical understanding.

The project is intended to develop over time, allowing for the refinement of interpretations as research progresses and new material becomes available.