Overall, datable prehistoric artefacts associated with the site were few and three radio-carbon dates (see Table 3) provide the main evidence for the age of the recorded remains. Samples taken from pits F. 102 and F. 133 and apron dump layer 55 have each provided results which fall within the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze-Age period. Analysis of the associated flintwork also implies such a date for the site (see above) and the prehistoric pottery recovered is consistent with this.
   In addition, a few struck flints that seem to belong to the Mesolithic period are present but only two undiagnostic pieces, sealed below the natural tufa, could represent in situ finds related to habitation during this earlier period. A possible Mesolithic occupation site previously identified at Beresford Road, some 500m north-west of the Crabble site, has now been disproved (Parfitt 1982).

DISCUSSION OF THE NEOLITHIC/BRONZE-AGE SITE

There seems little doubt that the sheltered valley of the River Dour, with its abundant supply of fresh running water, was an important focus for settlement throughout the prehistoric period (Fig. 1). Discoveries include the internationally important Middle Bronze-Age boat located close to the river mouth in 1992 (Clark 2004) but other finds are fragmentary and imprecisely located (see Parfitt in Clark 2004, 266-9 for a summary). The prehistoric remains found at Crabble clearly represent part of a significant new site, dating to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze-Age period, with the suggestion of some earlier, Mesolithic activity close by.
   Although perhaps unrepresentative of the complete site, the remains excavated in 2002 do not appear to readily equate with what might be typically associated with a prehistoric settlement. Thus, burnt debris and calcined flints abound but there are only about seventy struck flints