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.
Author(s): Timothy Darvill
Series: English Heritage Archaeological Report, 5
Publisher: Historic Buildings & Monuments Commission for England
Year: 1987
Language: English
Pages: VIII+190
City: Swindon
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
