Ancient Monuments In The Countryside: An Archaeological Management Review (archaeological Report)

E-book (PDF) published 2013. Much of England's rich archaeological heritage lies in the countryside. Many monuments, such as barrows, hillforts, and Roman villas, are familiar features of the landscape, while other sites lie buried or only partly visible. These remains are the result of the impact on the landscape of the countless generations of people who have lived, worked and died within it. The cumulative effect is the landscape we know today, in which the historical dimension is an integral component of the valued whole and an important part of what most people in England are increasingly concerned to see protected and conserved. The archaeological heritage, however, is a finite and fragile resource, and much of it has been lost in the last two decades as a result of increasing pressures on farming, industry, and commerce to maximise the return on investment in the land. The conservation of what remains, therefore, needs to be given urgent consideration. This report has three main goals. First, it aims to present the background to the recognition, investigation, and management of the archaeological resource. Second, it attempts to review what is known of the resource, the threats currently posed to it, and the ways in which it can be exploited and conserved. Finally, it looks towards the development and promotion of a secure future for ancient monuments in the countryside. Much of England's rich archaeological heritage lies in the countryside. Many monuments, such as barrows, hillforts, and Roman villas, are familiar features fo the landscape, while other sites lie buried or only partly visible. These remains are the result of the impact on the landscape of the countless generations of people who have lived, worked and died within it. The cumulative effect is the landscape we know today, in which the historical dimension is an integral component of the valued whole and an important part of what most people in England are increasingly concerned to see protected and conserved. The archaeological heritage, however, is a finite and fragile resource, and much of it has been lost in the last two decades as a result of increasing pressures on farming, industry, and commerce to maximise the return on investment in the land. The conservation of what remains, therefore, needs to be given urgent consideration.This report has three main goals. First, it aims to present the background to the recognition, investigation, and management of the archaeological resource. Second, it attempts to review what is known of the resource, the threats currently posed to it, and the ways in which it can be exploited and conserved. Finally, it looks towards the development and promotion of a secure future for ancient monuments in the countryside. List of figures vi List of tables vii Foreword by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu viii 1. Introduction 1 I. Archaeology and management 2. Archaeological evidence 6 3. The development of the countryside 13 4. Archaeological resource management 25 5. The legislative background 32 II. Archaeology in the countryside 1: Semi-natural landscapes 6. Wetland 40 7. Coastlands and estuaries 51 8. Rivers, lakes, and alluvium spreads 64 III. Archaeology in the countryside 2: Man-made landscapes 9. Established grassland 79 10. Woodland 92 11. Lowland heath 105 12. Arable land 117 13. Parkland and ornamental gardens 133 14. Upland moor 148 Looking forward 15. Ancient monuments in the countryside today and tomorrow 164 Appendix A. Useful names and addresses 170 Appendix B. Ancient monuments legislation 173 Appendix C. Code of practice for mineral operators 174 Notes 175 Acknowledgements 179 List of abbreviations used in the text 179 Glossary 179 Bibliography 181 By Timothy Darvill For The Ancient Monuments Division Of English Heritage. Bibliography: P. 181-188.