LONG-lost gems such as ancient monuments, burial mounds, and forgotten tracks on Exmoor are now being revealed, thanks to cutting-edge technology pioneered by the national park’s ground-breaking new Living Landscapes programme.

Hidden features in Exmoor’s former Royal Forest, invisible to the naked eye, are being uncovered by breakthrough LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology as part of a programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

LiDAR is a remote sensing technology which uses pulsed laser light to measure distances and create 3D representations of the environment.

Through an online LiDAR portal, volunteers and the public can investigate Exmoor’s former Royal Forest from home.

The discoveries can lead to real-world investigations with volunteers joining field teams to verify and record findings.

A spokesperson for the project said: “This blend of digital exploration and hands-on archaeology offers fresh insights into thousands of years of human activity that shaped the moor we know today.”

The national park is also preparing two further heritage initiatives scheduled for 2026.

A ‘Heritage at Risk’ project will focus on monitoring and protecting vulnerable monuments across Exmoor.

National park heritage ranger Kimberley Colman said: “Scattered across Exmoor’s hills and moorlands are ancient monuments - burial mounds, enclosures, and trackways that tell stories of ritual, settlement, and memory.

“These features face increasing threats from erosion, vegetation growth, livestock movement, and climate change.

“We are inviting volunteers to become stewards of Exmoor’s past.

“Participants will learn to monitor the condition of heritage assets, contribute to a growing archive, and develop skills in archaeological and digital recording.

“Between 2026 and 2028, there will be opportunities to work alongside heritage professionals, gaining first-hand experience in conservation.”

A ‘Farming Heritage’ project will explore Exmoor’s farming past and volunteers will help investigate historic farmsteads such as Driver and Pinkery, map field systems, survey 19th-century buildings, and explore personal letters and diaries to uncover stories of rural life and land use.

Ms Colman said: “This is more than a heritage project, it is a call to action.

“Whether you are a seasoned historian, a local resident, a curious walker, or somebody discovering Exmoor for the first time, there are opportunities to be involved.

“We would love people to join us in exploring a living archive of history and help protect Exmoor’s remarkable heritage for future generations.

“We would also like to thank the National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this initiative possible.”

Lottery heritage fund regional director Stuart McLeod said: “We are delighted to support the Exmoor project thanks to National Lottery players.

“It is a great example of how heritage can be brought to life by sharing the stories of this remote moorland landscape, helping the community connect to the heritage on their doorstep.

“This project will help ensure this remarkable landscape and its history can be explored and enjoyed for generations to come.”

More information and how to become involved can be found by searching online for ‘Exmoor Pioneers Heritage’ which also receives funding from BMW and the charity CareMoor for Exmoor.