Interpreting the Past – Kynance Gate Ancient Settlement Project

The Kynance Gate ancient settlement, located on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, is a significant archaeological site dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Despite its historical importance, the results of excavations conducted in the 1950s and 60s have never been formally published. The site lies within a highly protected landscape, including the West Lizard Heathlands SSSI, The Lizard SAC, and a Scheduled Monument designation. 

The Museum of Cornish Life in Helston, represented by trustee and archaeologist Charlie Johns, submitted a proposal to the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme to bring this heritage to light and enhance public understanding and access. 

Kynance Gate is a culturally iconic site, long admired by locals and archaeologists alike. The project addresses a long-standing gap in the public record by publishing the excavation results and making them freely accessible. It also supports the revitalisation of the Museum of Cornish Life’s archaeology display and contributes to the MI Project’s legacy. 

Community interest is high, with past volunteer events drawing strong participation. The project builds on this enthusiasm to foster deeper engagement with the site and its story. 

While FiPL is often most associated with providing grant funding to farmers and growers, FiPL can also fund projects that are seeking to protect heritage features, better conserve and enhance the landscape and increase public engagement and awareness of the landscape.  
 
This project was funded to collate and analyse the excavation archives and artefacts, create illustrations and photographic imagery to help interpret the historic landscape to the general public and host a series of walks, talks and volunteer-led scrub clearance.