Pilgrim Heights, North Truro

About this Location

A concentration of ancient sites is located at High Head in Truro. There are many archaeological sites in this area, however, most of them lack the dense deposits of trash that archeologists associate with permanent settlements. Ancient inhabitants were using the High Head area regularly from at least 5,000 years ago, but the activities seem to have been relatively short-term, perhaps specialized hunting or gathering of material or food that grew naturally in the area. Camps probably were set up to carry out these specialized activities and briefly occupied for short periods of a few days or weeks. The ancient archaeological sites in this area are relatively small and covered by soil and vegetation. Archaeological deposits consist mainly of discarded stone tools, stone fragments broken off when tools were resharpened or maintained in other ways, and stone used for heating in cooking or campfires. The area can be visited via the Small’s Swamp and Pilgrim Spring trails beginning at the Pilgrim Spring parking area, off US-6, North Truro.

About Cape Cod National Seashore

See all hotspots at Cape Cod National Seashore

Cape Cod is a large peninsula extending 60 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Massachusetts. Located on the outer portion of the Cape, Cape Cod National Seashore’s 44,600 acres encompass a rich mosaic of marine, estuarine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. These systems and their associated habitats reflect the Cape’s glacial origin, dynamic natural processes, and at least 9,000 years of human activity. Geomorphic shoreline change, groundwater fluctuations, tidal dynamics including rising sea level, and atmospheric deposition are among the many physical processes that continue to shape the Seashore’s ecosystems. Marine and estuarine systems include beaches, sand spits, tidal flats, salt marshes, and soft-bottom benthos. Freshwater ecosystems include kettle ponds, vernal pools, sphagnum bogs, and swamps. Terrestrial systems include pitch pine and scrub oak forests, heathlands, dunes, and sandplain grasslands. Many of these habitats are globally uncommon and the species that occupy them are correspondingly rare.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Entrance fee

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

Content from Official Website and Cape Cod National Seashore website

Last updated March 16, 2024