Archaeological Research Agenda for the Avebury - Wiltshire Council

111 Pages·2007·3.25 MB·English

Archaeological Research Agenda

for the

Avebury World Heritage Site

Avebury Archaeological & Historical Research Group (AAHRG)

February 2001
Published 2001 by the Trust for Wessex Archaeology Ltd
Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Salisbury SP4 6EB
Wessex Archaeology is a Registered Charity No. 287786
on behalf of English Heritage and the Avebury Archaeological & Historical Research Group
Copyright © The individual authors and English Heritage all rights reserved
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue entry for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 1–874350–36–1
Produced by Wessex Archaeology
Printed by Cromwell Press Ltd,Trowbridge
The cost of this publication was met by English Heritage
Front Cover: Avebury: stones at sunrise (© English Heritage Photographic Library. J920762, Sept 1992)
Back Cover: Aerial photograph of the Avebury Henge (© English Heritage Photographic Library.
K910422, May 1991)
Contents

List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv
3.8 Later Saxon and Medieval

List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv
by Andrew Reynolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv
3.9 Palaeo-Environmental Evidence

Foreword by Geoffrey Wainwright . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
by Michael J.Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi
3.10 Towards a Research Framework for the

Foreign language summaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi
Avebury Landscape by Rosamund M.J.Cleal

and Michael J.Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Part 1: Introduction by Amanda Chadburn and
Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger Part 4: Research Strategies
1.1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
4.1 Lower and Middle Palaeolithic

1.2 The Need for Research Agenda . . . . . . . . . .2
by Julie Scott-Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

1.3 Aims and Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
4.2 Late Glacial and Early Post-glacial

1.4 Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
by Andrew J. Lawson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

4.3 Neolithic and Early Bronze Age

Part 2: Resource Assessment by Rosamund M.J. Cleal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

2.1 Lower and Middle Palaeolithic
4.4 Late Bronze Age by Gill Swanton,

by Julie Scott-Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Chris Gingell and Andrew J. Lawson . . . . . . .67

2.2 Late Glacial and Early Post-glacial
4.5 Iron Age by Amanda Chadburn and

by Andrew J. Lawson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Mark Corney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

2.3 Neolithic and Early Bronze Age
4.6 Romano-British by Mark Corney and

by Rosamund M.J. Cleal and R. Montague . . .8
Bryn Walters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

2.4 Late Bronze Age by Gill Swanton,
4.7 Post-Roman and Early Saxon by Gill Swanton

Chris Gingell and Andrew J. Lawson . . . . . . .19
and Peter Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

2.5 Iron Age by Amanda Chadburn
4.8 Later Saxon and Medieval

and Mark Corney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
by Andrew Reynolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

2.6 Romano-British by Mark Corney and
4.9 Palaeo-Environmental by Michael J.Allen . .70

Bryn Walters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

2.7 Post-Roman and Early Saxon by Gill Swanton
Part 5: Methods and Techniques
and Peter Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
5.1 Geophysical Survey by Andrew David . . . . .71

2.8 Later Saxon and Medieval
5.2 Environmental Archaeology

by Andrew Reynolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
by Michael J.Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

2.9 Palaeo-Environmental Evidence
5.3 Earthwork Survey by Mark Bowden . . . . . .79

by Michael J.Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
5.4 Surface Artefact Collection

by Andrew J. Lawson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Part 3: Research Agenda 5.5 Evaluation Excavation by Andrew J. Lawson 81

3.1 Lower and Middle Palaeolithic
5.6 Full Excavation by Rosamund M.J. Cleal . . .81

by Julie Scott-Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
5.7 Aerial Survey by Robert Bewley and

3.2 Late Glacial and Early Post-glacial
Fiona Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

by Andrew J. Lawson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
5.8 Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

3.3 Neolithic and Early Bronze Age
by Nick Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

by Rosamund M.J. Cleal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
5.9 Metal detecting by Amanda Chadburn . . . .89

3.4 Late Bronze Age by Gill Swanton,
5.10 E xperimental Archaeology by Gill Swanton .91

Chris Gingell and Andrew J. Lawson . . . . . . .43

3.5 Iron Age by Amanda Chadburn
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

and Mark Corney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Appendix A.Section authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

3.6 Romano-British by Mark Corney and
Appendix B. Other AAHRG members 1996–2000

Bryn Walters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
who contributed to the formulation of the
3.7 Post-Roman and Early Saxon by Gill Swanton
research agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

and Peter Fowler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

iii
List of Figures

Fig. 1 Distribution of findspots and sites Fig. 11 Durotrigian silver and bronze staters, found
attributed to Palaeolithic, Late Glacial and near Silbury Hill in 1991
Early Post-glacial periods Fig. 12 The Marlborough Bucket
Fig. 2 Distribution of Neolithic and Early Bronze Fig. 13 Distribution of Romano-British sites in the
Age sites and monuments in the wider Avebury area
Avebury area Fig. 14 Plan of the Silbury Romano-British
Fig. 3 Distribution of Neolithic and Early Bronze settlement
Age sites and monuments within the Fig. 15 Distribution of Post-Roman and early
Avebury WHS Saxon sites in the Avebury area
Fig. 4 Stone axes from Windmill Hill Fig. 16 The Wansdyke
Fig. 5 Antler pick and rake from Windmill Hill Fig. 17 Extract from the RCHME survey of
Fig. 6 Plan of excavation trenches in the Henge Avebury with outline of the possible 9th
Fig. 7 South-west quadrant of Avebury Henge and century burh
Stone Circle Fig. 18 Hundreds and Parishes in North Wiltshire
Fig. 8 Excavation in Longstone Field, Fig. 19 Location of sites where with environmental
Beckhampton, 1999 evidence has been recovered in the Avebury
Fig. 9 Distribution of later Bronze Age sites and area
monuments in the Avebury area Fig. 20 New ‘feature’ in the Avebury Henge, 1995
Fig. 10 Distribution of Iron Age sites and Fig. 21 Isometric drawing of the Overton Down
monuments in the Avebury area Experimental Earthwork
List of Tables

Table 1 Probable Iron Age enclosures in and Table 5 Geophysical survey in the Avebury area and
around the Avebury WHS beyond
Table 2 Probable Iron Age unenclosed settlements Table 6 Monarch (NMR) record summaries:
in and around the Avebury WHS records created and updated for each
Table 3 Iron Age coins in the Oxford University quarter sheet
Celtic Coin Index found in the Avebury Table 7 New sites identified in the Avebury WHS
area Mapping Project
Table 4 Sites where environmental evidence has
been recovered in the Avebury area
Acknowledgements
The authors and editors of this volume would like to Smith;Geoffrey Wainwright;Alasdair Whittle;the staff
thank all past and present members of AAHRG for of English Heritage Aerial Survey, Avebury WHS
their various contributions which have made this Mapping Project and National Monuments Record.
publication possible. Thanks are due to Amanda
Chadburn, Julie Gardiner, Kate Fielden and Melanie
Pomeroy for editing, and to Nick Burton for compiling
the maps. Illustrations
The individual authors would like to thank the The distribution maps, Figs 1–3, 9, 10, 13, 15 and 19,
following for reading and commenting on earlier drafts and Fig. 18, were produced by Nick Burton via the
and for providing help and additional data: Dave Avebury WHS Geographical Information System ©
Batchelor; Andrew David; Duncan Coe; Bruce Eagles; English Heritage; Figs 6 and 17 were produced by
Dave Field; Andrew Fitzpatrick; Charly French; RCHME © English Heritage; Fig. 21 after Jewell
Philip de Jersey; Julie Gardiner; Alex Gibson; Mark 1963; Figs 4, 5 and 7 © The National Trust; Figs 11
Gillings; Andrew Lawson; Rebecca Montague; Mike and 12 © Wiltshire Heritage Museum,Devizes;Fig.16
Pitts; Josh Pollard; Julian Richards; Colin Shell; Isobel © Mick Aston; Fig. 14 after Corney 1997b, fig. 1.
iv
Foreword

Avebury and Stonehenge are part of the same methodologies to fill these. For Avebury this was
World Heritage Site. Both have Management Plans accomplished over a long period of time by many
which place considerable importance on the en­ people and this document is a tribute to their per­
couragement and promotion of academic research to sistence and determination. It portrays in classic format
achieve a greater understanding of their rich cultural a statement of what is known and what we now need
heritage. There was a unswerving belief on the part of to know. In time the document will become outdated
all those associated with the completion of the as new research necessitates reviews. A fear of
Management Plans that such research and the under­ obsolescence should never prevent the compilation of
standing it brings are not optional extras, but essential research agendas. Indeed there is a case for arguing that
for the appropriate management of the heritage assets their value is best gauged against the frequency with
which make these World Heritage Sites outstanding which they are reviewed.
landscapes of universal significance. Improved understanding is the key to good land
For both Avebury and Stonehenge the work has management and this excellent document provides the
begun with the compilation of a gazetteer of what is essential adjunct to the Management Plan. Both
known and the codification of that information with documents must develop together to ensure their
compatible machine-based formats employing the mutual success and one may feel confident that the
latest technology with particular reference to geo­ Avebury Archaeological and Historical Research
graphical information systems. Such records have been Group will ensure that the proper priorities are
compiled and are accessible to the public as well as to maintained.
academics and land-managers. Subsequent conferences
and documents identified the gaps in our under­ Geoffrey Wainwright
standing and promoted appropriate research topics and November 2000
v
Summary

This volume draws together contributions from a number of Lower Palaeolithic to the end of the medieval period (c.AD
specialists to provide an agenda for future research within 1500) together with an assessment of the palaeo­
the Avebury World Heritage Site. It has been produced in environmental data from the area. Period 3 is the Research
response to the English Heritage initiative for the Agenda itself, again arranged by period but focusing on a
development of regional and period research frameworks in variety of common themes. A series of more over-arching,
England and represents the first formal such agenda for a landscape-based themes for environmental research is also
World Heritage Site. included.
Following an introduction setting out the background to, In Part 4 strategies for the implementation of the
need for and development of the Research Agenda, the Research Agenda are explored and in Part 5 methods
volume is presented under a series of major headings. Part relevant for that implementation are presented.
2 is a resource assessment arranged by period from the
Résumé Zussamenfassung
Cet ouvrage rassemble les contributions d'un certain Dieser Band beinhaltet Beiträge von Spezialisten zur
nombre de spécialistes pour établir un programme de Planung zukünftiger Forschungen im Avebury
recherches pour l'avenir sur le site d'Avebury, inscrit au Weltkulturerbe. Er wurde auf eine Initiative des
Patrimoine Mondial. Il a été élaboré à la suite d'une English Heritage hin zur Entwicklung regionaler und
initiative d'English Heritage en vue de développer des auf Perioden bezogener Forschungsrahmen in England
schémas pour la recherche par région et par période en produziert und stellt den ersten formalen
Angleterre et constitue le premier programme officiel Forschungsplan für ein Weltkulturerbe dar.
de cet ordre pour un site inscrit au Patrimoine Es beginnt mit einer Einführung, die den
Mondial. Hintergrund des Forschungsplans, dessen Notwendig­
Après une introduction qui retrace l'arrière-plan du keit und seine Entwicklung erläutert, und wird durch
programme de recherches, en explique la necessité et weitere Teile ergänzt.Bei Teil 2 handelt es sich um eine
le développement, le volume se présente sous la forme Bewertung der Resourcen, die nach Perioden geordnet
d'une série de grands intitulés. La deuxième partie sind. Dies beginnt mit dem frühen Paläolithikum und
consiste en une évaluation des ressources par époque geht bis zum Ende der mittelalterlichen Periode (ca.
et s'étend du paléolithique inférieur à la fin de la 1500 AD). Eingeschlossen darin ist eine Bewertung der
période médiévale (c. 1500 ap. J.-C.) ainsi qu'en une paläoökologischen Daten des Gebietes. In Teil 3 wird
évaluation des données relatives au paléo­ der Forschungsplan selbst dargestellt, wobei wieder
environnement de la région. Le programme lui-même nach Perioden geordnet wird, und dabei aber auch eine
constitue la troisième partie, également ordonnée par Vielzahl von allgemeinen Themen behandelt werden.
période mais se concentrant sur divers thèmes Zusätzlich sind eine Reihe von weiter greifenden, auf
courants. Elle comprend aussi une série de thèmes plus die Landschaft bezogenen Themen für ökologische
compréhensifs fondés sur le paysage et destinés à la Forschungen enthalten.
recherche environnementale. In Teil 4 werden die Strategien für die praktische
Dans la quatrième partie, on explore les stratégies Anwendung des Forschungsplans untersucht, und in
pour la mise en application du programme de Teil 5 werden schließlich die Methoden vorgestellt, die
recherches et dans la cinquième, on présente les für diese Anwendung relevant sind.
méthodes appropriées à cette mise en place.
(Annie Pritchard) (Peter Biehl)
vi
Part 1: Introduction

Amanda Chadburn and Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger

1.1 Background research designs and meshing individual projects,
such a group would allow for efficient information
The Avebury World Heritage Site (WHS) and its wider exchange. English Heritage (1992, 11–12).
hinterland comprises a landscape which is a palimpsest
of archaeological features. Avebury is one of a small The Management Statement recognised that a
number of areas in southern Britain which appears to suitable group to undertake this work – the Avebury
have acted as a focus for ceremonial and ritual activities Environs Forum (AEF) – had already been in existence
during the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age; it is one the since 1990. In due course the AEF agreed to under­
richest and most varied of these areas.The particularly take the role set out in the English Heritage Manage­
rich assemblage of archaeological sites, both visible and ment Statement, although they reserved the right to
buried, provides a vivid record of past landscape meet separately if necessary as their role was wider than
patterns and use and has exerted a considerable visual that set out by English Heritage.
and cultural influence on the surrounding landscape for In September 1996, a Management Plan Officer
more than 5000 years. was appointed by the National Trust (funded by
The Avebury WHS, an area of 22.5 square English Heritage), with the specific aim of writing a
kilometres, together with Stonehenge, was inscribed management plan for the Avebury WHS.This initiative
onto the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1986 in was part of a national programme to ensure that all
recognition of its outstanding universal value. Avebury British WHS had management plans.The International
is located on the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire, Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
around 40 km north-west of Stonehenge.The Avebury guidelines for the contents of management plans
Henge and Stone Circles, Silbury Hill, West Kennet suggested that research programmes should be
Avenue and other associated sites greatly contribute to included (Feilden and Jokilehto 1993, 28 and 39).
a distinctive historic and cultural landscape. The ICOMOS requirement was set against the
Since 1990 a group of archaeologists has been general need for research designs in the wider
meeting regularly to discuss archaeological issues archaeological community at this time. In 1995,
affecting the Avebury WHS (Chadburn 1998). From following its earlier work on research frameworks
February 1996 onwards a key focus of discussion has (English Heritage 1991b), English Heritage conducted
been the formulation of a comprehensive research a survey of research designs in England to record
agenda for the WHS and its wider hinterland. During existing research frameworks, and to make re­
the last decade, the composition of the group has often commendations as a focus for a wide ranging debate
changed, and this publication represents the written about the way forward (Olivier 1996, 2). The
and verbal contribution of many people (Appendices A publication of Frameworks For Our Past (ibid.)
and B). This volume takes the form of a series of promoted the planning of future priorities for
individually-authored papers written in consultation archaeological research and the development of
with other members of the Avebury Archaeological and regional strategies, resulting in publications such as
Historical Research Group (AAHRG), rather than a such as Wessex Before Words (Woodward and Gardiner
document written by committee. The following text 1998) and Framework for the Eastern Counties
therefore displays a diversity of styles and approaches (Glazebrook 1997). However, despite the ICOMOS
to the archaeological potential of the area. guidelines, we have been unable to find any detailed
AAHRG was set up in early 1993 following the published research agenda for any WHS, and we
publication by English Heritage in 1992 of the believe this document represents the first formal and
Management Statement for the Avebury WHS (English detailed research agenda of this kind in the world.
Heritage 1992) and AAHRG (1993). The EH Geoffrey Wainwright,the then chairman of the main
document established a number of principles for Avebury WHS Working Party, suggested in late 1995
management of the WHS,and recommended that two that AAHRG should take the research framework
sub-groups be set up to assist a main WHS Working forward for use in the Avebury Management Plan.The
Party in the matters of a) archaeological and historical published Management Plan (English Heritage 1998),
research and b) visitor and traffic management. taking into account the first draft Research Agenda
The specific role suggested for an archaeological (AAHRG 1997) heavily emphasises the need for
sub-group was to: ongoing archaeological research, the further
development of the research agenda, and for sustain-
seek to co-ordinate the efforts of the various bodies ability in research methods (Section 1.2 below).The
with interests in the WHS.Besides formulating broad Plan also highlights the high potential for further
2
research and the close link between research and evidence for which is less tangible and more elusive.
cultural heritage management in the Avebury WHS. There is a strong possibility of the discovery or
One of the 26 main objectives in the Plan focuses rediscovery of as yet unknown archaeological sites, as
specifically on research, aiming to: illustrated by the recent discovery (1987–9) of the
buried features of the impressive Late Neolithic
Encourage and promote academic research to ‘palisade enclosures’complex at West Kennett and the
achieve a deeper understanding of the WHS ‘Beckhampton Avenue’ in 1999. Moreover, the
necessary for its appropriate management. All RCHME (now English Heritage) has recently
research should be carried out with due regard to the undertaken a thorough examination and transcription
principles of sustainability and to appropriate of all aerial photographic coverage of the WHS area as
standards of work. (English Heritage 1998, part of their National Mapping Programme (described
Objective Z). in Section 5.7). This work has already resulted in the
discovery of a number of previously unknown sites and
The Research Agenda presented here is primarily landscape features, including ploughed-out barrows,
concerned with academic and scientific research enclosures and parts of field systems. Part 3 of this
issues rather than management issues, and in this volume presents the many gaps in our current state of
respect the Research Agenda and Management Plan knowledge for all periods, and the great potential of the
are two separate documents. However, the two are area for answering important research questions.
designed to be closely intertwined and together they The Avebury WHS is well protected by the various
comprise a universal framework as described in designations for conservation and by planning policy.
Frameworks for Our Past (Olivier 1996, 5, and fig.1). Thus, the opportunities for making new discoveries
The recently published WHS Management Plan for through the development control process are limited.
Stonehenge announces the intention to develop a This makes the existence of the Research Agenda and
separate research agenda for this part of the WHS framework for implementation of crucial importance.
(English Heritage 2000, section 4.7.8). The WHS, because of its intrinsic values and
international importance, does attract a great deal of
interest and concern from the public as well as from
1.2 The Need for a Research Agenda archaeologists.The existence of the Research Agenda
associated with the Management Plan is essential to aid
Research agenda have long been the subject of a good level of public awareness and to stress that
archaeological debate in Britain. The introduction of research is in the public interest.
PPG 16 (DoE November 1990) led to concerns that
development-sponsored work was being undertaken in
an academic vacuum. Even before this there were The Sustainability of Research
similar concerns, principally following the rescue
programmes of the 1960s and 1970s. Recently, Olivier It is essential for the long-term preservation of the
concluded that the archaeological discipline needed a WHS that all uses of the site are sustainable.Therefore,
general framework of well-synthesised investigation to like any other land use, research has to be undertaken
support the development of a new generation of on a sustainable basis. In the context of research,
research, and to provide reference points for cultural sustainability can be defined as meeting today’s need for
resource management. In particular, regional as well as improved knowledge and understanding of the WHS
national strategies were needed (Olivier 1996, 2). without jeopardising the ability of future generations to do
Morris argued convincingly that research-driven the same.
archaeology was both good for archaeology and cost- Advances in knowledge rely on measures taken now
effective, and that without research strategies and to preserve enough physical and documentary evidence
agenda ‘all that happens is that another avalanche of to allow future investigations and discoveries to
data is added to a largely unconsulted archive which is improve understanding which can be passed on. This
increasingly unaffordable to store’ (Morris 1997, 11). raises the question of what level of survival of physical
Such problems were felt at the local level in the evidence is needed to sustain such investigation into the
Avebury area which was, despite its international status, future, allowing for ever-changing research interests.
experiencing difficulties in the co-ordination of Paradoxically, excavation means the destruction of the
research. Although the importance of the key physical evidence (apart from the artefacts and
archaeological features has been recognised and ecofacts).With advances in techniques in the future,it
studied,the cultural landscape of the Avebury WHS is is probable that future generations of archaeologists will
not particularly well understood or documented.The be able to extract more information from smaller
extant earthworks are easily recognised and can be samples of the evidence. For some interests, past
planned for and managed. However, a wide range of destruction may already have precluded the pursuit of
archaeological features and sites exists in the area, the some lines of research; for some, nothing less than total
3
preservation of what remains will suffice; for others, a • Recognise the importance of research in the
more modest level of preservation will be required. In WHS.
the case of particular archaeological sites and • Identify gaps in our understanding and promote
monuments, different levels of preservation might be the appropriate research topics and
appropriate to support different lines of inquiry: the methodologies to fill the gaps.
requirements of palaeoenvironmental research might • Support research into all periods and all
be quite different from those of other lines of inquiry. relevant aspects of the WHS and its environs,
The objective should be to aim at preserving the ensuring the conduct and methods of research
maximum rather than the minimum sample required are sustainable and compatible with the
to sustain future research. identification and protection of WHS values.
Although some excavation and surface collection • Ensure research is conducted in accordance with
will be necessary to answer key research and hence the objectives of the Management Plan.
management questions, it is recognised that these • Promote a policy of preserving maximum
activities do diminish the evidence available to future rather than minium remains (although some
generations of researchers, and as such do carry some excavation may be desirable), encouraging the
moral obligations of care. These activities should be use of non-invasive techniques.
kept to a minium and only carried out when there is a • Publish and disseminate existing information
valid and defensible reason.The use of non-destructive and ongoing research results to the land
prospection techniques and ‘experimental’ techniques managers, the public and the archaeological
should be encouraged. community.
There is a strong necessity for continued academic • Encourage the use of the most appropriate
input and a research framework for the future techniques for the successful investigation of the
management of the WHS. Research is essential to priority research areas.
informed understanding, management and inter­
pretation. It is difficult to distinguish between The concept of archaeological significance is a
academic- and management-led research, as all dynamic one, which will change with the times and
research can have management potential and with advances in archaeological method and theory.
implications. Because of the elusive nature of many The Research Agenda will continue to evolve and be
buried archaeological features, leading to surprise updated on a regular basis.
discoveries, it is often difficult to know the management The Agenda is principally aimed at people
implications until the research has been completed.The intending to conduct research, individuals and agencies
extent to which further research is required to help with concerned with conservation and management in the
specific management issues or problems needs to be area, and all with a desire to understand more about
examined further over the next few years. The Avebury’s past. However, it is considered that the
continued updating of the Research Agenda should Research Agenda will only be effective if widely
assist in addressing these issues. However, the Research disseminated to the academic community via con­
Agenda does not intend to focus on the Avebury ventional publication and electronic access. In general
landscape and foster archaeological over-exploitation. the Agenda itself encourages the publication and wide
The Research Agenda should help to ensure that a dissemination of existing information and ongoing
balanced and sustainable level of research is achieved research results. It is planned to publish the whole of
by providing guidelines for research, mechanisms for the text presented here on the English Heritage web
consultations, and the coordination of resources. site. www.english-heritage.org.uk
1.3 Aims and Objectives 1.4 Methodology
The general aim of the Research Agenda proposed here The Avebury Research Agenda is presented in line with
is to: the definition and structure recommended in
Frameworks For Our Past (Olivier 1996).The Research
actively encourage sustainable levels of research into Agenda comprises: a resource assessment (Part 2: a
all periods and all relevant aspects of the WHS and description of the archaeological resource and state­
its near environs, in order to improve archaeological ment of the current state of knowledge); a list of gaps
understanding,to better inform other academics,and in that knowledge and the potential of the resource to
to allow informed archaeological resource manage­ answer questions (Part 3); and a statement setting out
ment to take place. priorities (Part 4); and methods (Part 5). Because of
the complexity of the palimpsest of archaeological
Detailed objectives to meet these needs include: features in the WHS,and the difficulties of dealing with
the transitional periods, a holistic and diachronic