Howick house

The Howick house is a Mesolithic site in Northumberland, near the village of Howick. It stands on a sandy cliff where flint tools once eroded out of the ground. Archaeologists found a circle of large post holes with charcoal at their bases. Smaller stake holes angled inward from outside a hollow were also discovered. Inside, shallow hearths contained charcoal, burnt nutshells and bone fragments. Radiocarbon dating of charred hazelnut shells placed the house’s construction around 7600 BC. It remained occupied for about a century, earning the title ‘Britain’s oldest house’. Some hearths showed signs of nut roasting, with quantities of shells suggesting food was cooked in bulk. The substantial post holes and evidence of year-round resources point to permanent settlement rather than seasonal use. The coastal location provided year-round supplies such as animals, flint, wood, fish, seals and shellfish. A nearby fresh water source was also available during occupation. Many Mesolithic sites are coastal, but Howick’s combination of resources and evidence of ritual activity suggests hunter-gatherers could establish permanent homes. The site’s remains reflect a community living in one place, supported by the land and sea.