The Archaeologist 63 - Winter 2006 Archaeological field survey

24 Pages·2007·2.07 MB·English

SHES¥ The University of Reading¥ Whiteknights¥ PO Box 227¥ Reading RG6 6AB¥ Tel [phone]¥ e-mail: [email protected]¥ www.archaeologists.net
I N S T I T U T E O F F I E L D A R C H A E O L O G I S T S Spring 2007
Number 63
Annual
THE
The ARCHAEOLOGIST
Conference
FOR ARCHAEOLOGISTS
R E A D I N G
This issue:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
FIELD SURVEY
English Heritage
and landscape
archaeology
2—44 April
2 0 0 7 p17
In Association with the Department of Archaeology,
Involving the
Reading University
Photographs: Dept. of Archaeology, Reading University, Matthew Whittington and Christopher Stanley
community in
field survey
p20
Investigating
modern
landscapes
Institute of Field Archaeologists
p28
SHES, University of Reading, Whiteknights
POBox 227, Reading RG6 6AB
tel [phone]
fax [phone]
email [email protected]
website www.archaeologists.net
C
O N T E N T S
1 Contents
2 Editorial
3 Finds Tray
4 A guide to charge-out rates for archaeological specialists Phil Mills
6 From disability to inclusion: the Inclusive, Accessible, Archaeology Project Tim Phillips &
Roberta Gilchrist
8 A new qualification in archaeological practice Kate Geary
9 Coastal Zone Assessment Surveys: recording coastal erosion in Scotland Mike Cressey,
page 24
Melanie Johnson,Phil Richardson and Tom Dawson
12 Climate change: a threat to the historic environment Patrick Foster
14 Fieldwork and monasticism: field survey at Sempringham Priory, Lincolnshire Glyn Coppack
page 26
and Paul Cope-Faulkner
17 English Heritage and landscape archaeology Peter Topping
18 Investigating a Tudor gardenSarah Newsome
20 Involving the community in field survey Alastair Oswald
22 Nature takes its course: understanding a threatened lead-mining landscape Abby Hunt and
Stewart Ainsworth
24 Tracing an oppidum in a wooded landscape David McOmish and Sarah Newsome
26 New interpretations in the Quantock Hills Hazel Riley
28 Investigating modern landscapes Wayne Cocroft
30 Getting a better view Derek Ashman
page 30 32 Understanding plough damage: research in field and lab Steve Trow,Vince Holyoak and
Fachtna McAvoy
34 Professional training in analytical earthwork survey and landscape investigation Mark Bowden
page 34
and Marcus Jecock
36 Technical developments in archaeological investigation Trevor Pearson
37 Maritime records for the future Gary Green
38 Slipping through the net: maritime archaeological archives in policy and practice Jesse Ransley
40 Archaeology and politics Christopher Catling
41 Westminster debates the heritage Alison Taylor
43 New members
44 Members news
Spring 2007 Number 63 1
l FROM THE FINDS TRAY
a
In the last TAwe tackled topical issues of urban appreciating the reality that we need all branches of
Stop VAT on listed buildings
regeneration, in which MPs and ministers (see this archaeology to be strong. Only then can we develop
There is currently a petition on the Downing British Archaeologymagazine
issue, p41) recognise that archaeologists have a the discipline in a way that truly expands our
Street website that reads ‘We the undersigned Arecent mailing to IFAmembers
useful role to play, and this time it seemed a good understanding of the past andserves the public in a
petition the Prime Minister to remove all VAT promoting membership of CBAat
i idea to get out into the fresh air of the countryside modern world.
charges on building repairs to listed buildings.’ a specially reduced price yielded
and look at some of the practice issues surrounding
Currently, there is no VAT on new buildings but fifty new members. Now about a
field survey. This was greatly improved by input Two notes from IFAoffice – firstly, a final reminder
there is on repairs, a considerable burden for those quarter of IFA’s members also belong to CBA. The offer
from English Heritage, especially by Phil Newman that the Annual Conference will be in Reading this
maintaining churches and other historic buildings. remains open and any IFAmember wanting to receive a free
who encouraged many officers to contribute articles year, 2-4 April (we may even tidy up the offices for
To sign, go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ copy of British Archaeologyand to join CBAat a reduced rate
on their work. Thanks to traditions that came to EH you to visit), and there is still just time to book. The
NoVAToldBuildngs. (Yes, the spelling mistake is of £28 should contact CBAon 01904 671417 or at
r with the RCHME this is cutting edge work that is full programme and an offer of bursaries are on our
for real). [email protected]
being made increasingly available to the wider website. It will as usual cover many topical issues,
profession. Taken with new opportunities for some, such as plough damage, disability, workplace
discovering and interpreting archaeological sites learning, politics and scientific advances, relating to
and landscapes described in our new Yearbook and pages in this TA. Lastly, your Editor needs
directory, archaeologists should feel empowered to continuing support from IFAEditorial Board to
enter a new age of widening horizons. keep ideas flowing. Are there any members who Ratification of the European Landscape Convention
o
would like Council to consider them for joining this In November, it was announced that the UK had signed up to the European Landscape Convention. This means that it
This is timely for, as we see on p40 and p41, board? It usually meets only twice a year so is not agrees to implement four general measures. The first is to recognise landscapes in law, as an essential component of
archaeology is at last being taken seriously by too onerous, and it’s a great help to have voices people’s heritage, identity and surroundings. The second is to establish and implement landscape policies aimed at
politicians (and even by civil servants, if rumours of from different parts of the archaeological world. landscape protection, management and planning. The third is to establish procedures for public participation in the
support for topics we hold dear come true through Do phone or email if you would like to know more. definition and implementation of landscape policies. The fourth is to integrate landscape into regional and town
the Heritage Protection Review). Increasing width planning policies and in cultural, environmental, agricultural, social and economic policies as well as in any other
of understanding and depth of responsibility makes policies with a possible impact on landscape. Defra’s view seems to be that the UK need not undertake immediate
t this is a time for public and commercial Alison Taylor changes to policy or legislation, but Ministers in departments where policy reviews might incorporate aspects of the
organisations to give full support to each other, Convention are being encouraged to support changes. The Convention became binding on 1 March 2007.
[email protected]
i Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Historic Landscape
Characterisation project
More locally, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Historic
Landscape Characterisation project, sponsored by
Notes to contributors English Heritage, has been published, useful for anyone
concerned by how we manage our landscapes in the
Themes and deadlines Contributions and letter/emailsare always welcome. It is intended EDITED by Alison Taylor, IFA,
d future. It can be found on http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/
Summer: Post-medieval archaeology to makeTAdigitally available to institutions through the SAL/CBA SHES, University of Reading,
bcc/content/index.jsp?contentid=2005089152, or the
in Britain e-publications initiative. If this raises copyright issues with any Whiteknights, PO Box 227
non-technical introduction (26 full colour pages plus
deadline: 15 March 2007 authors, artists or photographers, please notify the editor. Short READING RG6 6AB
fold-out map) is available, price £5, from
articles (max. 1000 words) are preferred. They should be sent as an
Buckinghamshire County Council.
Autumn: IFA Conference papers and email attachment, which must include captions and credits for DESIGNED and TYPESET by
Annual Report illustrations. The editor will edit and shorten if necessary. Illustrations Sue Cawood
deadline: 15 June 2007 are very important. These can be supplied as originals, on CD or as
E emails, at a minimum resolution of 500 kb. More detailed Notes for PRINTED by Duffield Printers
Winter: Archaeology, sustainability contributorsfor each issue are available from the editor. Ltd (Leeds)
and climate change Opinions expressed in The Archaeologist are those of the authors,
deadline: 15 September 2007 and are not necessarily those of IFA.
2 The Archaeologist Spring 2007 Number 63 3
A guide to CHARGE-OUT RATES f o r a r c h a e o l o g i c a l s p e c i a l i s t s
Phil Mills
Arecommendation for IFAto produce guidelines telephone, web space) and ‘business rates’. • LEAVE Table 1 Estimate for calculating a daily charge out rate
for charge-out rates was made in Aitchison (2000). Provision for travel time to a client may also be The current recommendation for annual leave
The necessity for this has been echoed by various appropriate. Further costs should be considered is 20 days in addition to statutory holidays (8
groups of finds specialists over the last few years. in terms of ‘support services’ for the business days). Provision should also be made for
Money
It was recommended that for charge-out rates the itself. This would include the costs of an potential absences due to illness (which will
Salary 20898.00
following factors should be considered accountant, professional indemnity insurance, average out to perhaps 5-10 days in a year, but
26% on-costs 5433.48
money placed into reserves and legal services. could disproportionately effect a sole trader),
Overheads 8000.00
1 average salaries for this kind of work parenting and caring, and for periods when
Total 34331.48
2 average salaries for similar kinds of work • EQUIPMENT work is not available.
3 IFArecommended minimum salaries Essential equipment to carry out tasks, including
Days 365
4 appropriate overheads for IT equipment and software, microscopes etc, Estimating the cost
Minus weekends 104 261
• premises sundry expenses for stationery, postage and Table 1 suggests some figures for calculating a
Public holidays 8 253
• facilities similar. daily charge-out rate. The numbers given are
Leave 22 231
• seeking work illustrative only and should not be taken as an
Illness 8 223
• training / CPD • SEEKING WORK official IFAguideline. The first calculation estimates
CPD 3 220
• leave – sickness, parenting, holiday The costs in developing a client network and the amount of money that the business needs to
• pensions seeking work vary enormously, from an email generate to cover salary, costs and overheads. The
So 34331.48
shot to likely clients to advertising in trade second section estimates the number of productive
Divided by 220Days p/a
It is not appropriate to set out a compulsory rate as journals and displays at conferences, as well as days that may be reasonably available in the year,
costs can be extremely variable and flexibility discussing and negotiating individual contracts, with the final charge out rate derived by dividing Is 156.0521818 Pounds p/d
should be maintained for the mutual benefit of depending on the nature of the service covered. total amount to be met by the number of days
specialist and client – for example a senior expert The time and costs taken to reply to enquiries available. 50 non-productive days
may charge more than average, but would be likely and supply estimates and details about services
complete work faster. Considerations underlying offered should also be included. There is also a Phil Mills 34331.48
the setting of the charge-out rate are cost in terms of the time taken to network at Hon Visiting Fellow Divided by 170Days p/a
meetings of potential clients. School of Archaeology and History
• WAGES University of Leicester 201.9498824 Pounds p/d
The highest cost of the business is the wage that • TRAINING/CPD [email protected]
the specialist pays him/herself. The work carried This will represent a financial cost, as well as
out by an experienced specialist sole trader is by time. The financial cost will include membership Aitchison K 2000 Survey of Archaeological
definition at MIFAlevel, so this grade should be of the relevant professional bodies and specialist Specialists Landward Archaeology Research
taken as the initial wage. With the wage should groups; subscriptions to specialist journals; Reports 00/08 January 2000
be included National Insurance contributions acquiring copies of relevant publications, http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/aitchison
and pension contributions made by a company, attendance of relevant professional and _eh_2001/htm/FrontPage.htm
which are currently recommended at a minimum specialist conferences and the costs of attending
6% for RAOs. formal training courses. The time cost will be
the amount of time that carrying out formal This paper has benefited from comments from IFA
• OVERHEADS CPD/ training takes, as well as research relevant Council, the Committee for Working Practices in
Premises: unless the specialist works exclusively to the specialist field. Currently that is set at 50 Archaeology and IFA Finds Group, Duncan Brown,
at the client’s premises, it is probable that s/he hours over 2 years, which can be taken as 7 days Roy Stephenson, Peter Hinton, Hester Cooper-Reade
will need to maintain an office and workspace, over 2 years (3.5 days a year) for a day of 7.5 and Gerald Wait, although the opinions expressed
with the associated costs of utilities (fuel, hours. are my own.
4 The Archaeologist Spring 2007 Number 63 5
From disability to inclusion: It is about what people can do,
Inclusive,
the not what they cannot.
Tim Phillips & Roberta Gilchrist
Accessible,
by dyslexia and work-related conditions such as fieldwork but key competencies of self-motivation, procedures after participation in fieldwork. Because
Archaeology back problems and repetitive strain injuries analytical ability, decision making, communication the format of the tool kit allows for the dynamic
Project •disabled employees are mostly employed in field and inter-personal skills, team working, nature of ability, future provision can be changed or
investigation whatever their impairment, organisation and mental and physical stamina adapted to suit the individual.
including restricted mobility learned in archaeological fieldwork training are
•most employers are aware of the implications of relevant to allstudents. Guidelines – for students and for visitors
disability legislation and consider that they have The project has produced guidelines of good
Archaeological fieldwork is often seen as a ‘macho’ either satisfactorily altered, or do not need to Tool kit practice for including people with disabilities in
alter, their procedures Working with the Research Group for Inclusive archaeological fieldwork training, partly based on
activity carried out by fit young men; the idea that
•major concerns of the employers are the ability Environments (RGIE) at the University of Reading, the observations of the project team but mainly on
people with disabilities may participate in it is just not
to do the job, risk factors and Health and Safety, the IAAproject team characterised the physical and the experiences of Archaeology departments and
thought practical. This is a misconception: quite a and full disclosure during recruitment cognitive demands of various archaeological tasks disabled archaeology students, commercial
•positive comments tend to outweigh the negative taught in fieldwork training. Secondly, a self- employers and disabled professional archaeologists.
number of people involved in field archaeology have
ones. evaluation tool was developed with which This document includes guidelines to making
some recognised disability. Approximately 14% of
students can identify their individual abilities and archaeological excavations accessible to visitors.
undergraduates are disabled. Many have dyslexia, but The Disability Discrimination Acts make it illegal transferable skills, and track their development.
to discriminate against someone with regards to This is a tool for use by both disabled and non- The guidelines will be published by the Higher
a substantial number have restricted mobility.
employment and access to education and services disabled students. It was refined through controlled Education Academy’s Subject Centre for History,
on the grounds of their disability. Employers and tests with disabled and non-disabled volunteers. Classics and Archaeology as one of their series of
service providers have to make ‘reasonable This was followed by field trials on the University Guides to Teaching and Learning in Archaeology. The
adjustments’ to ensure that disabled people are of Reading and Bournemouth University’s Field tool kit and the guidelines for good practice are
not excluded. These adjustments must not be Schools. available at www.hca.heacademy.ac.uk/access-
‘responsive’, ie just to the needs of individuals archaeology/inclusive_accessible
when required; they must be ‘anticipatory’. In The tool kit has been designed for users with little www.britarch.ac.uk
Higher Education, fieldwork training remains a or no previous experience of archaeological Blind archaeologist
key component of undergraduate courses and fieldwork and is suitable for use by anyone The IAAProject was funded as part of the Higher identifying finds at
procedures must be in place to ensure disabled interested in archaeology. It gives users an idea of Education Funding Council for England’s Fund Silchester during the Field
students are included. their potential to successfully complete various for the Development of Teaching and Learning, Trials – would you know
archaeological tasks, their physical and cognitive Phase 5 (FDTL5). It was run jointly by the that this person is disabled?
The usual perception Can do abilities and transferable skills. Abilities and skills Department of Archaeology at the University of Photograph: Stephanie Le
of disability – This can be a major challenge for fieldwork are not static, so the tool kit can be used to track Reading, the School of Conservation Sciences at Scouiller
wheelchair-user directors. How can they anticipate the specific needs development. The incorporation of transferable Bournemouth University and the
mattocking in the of every individual student who may, or may not, skills makes the tool kit useful for CPD. Research Group for Inclusive
Controlled Tests. be present on fieldwork training? Moreover, in a Environments (RGIE) at Reading.
Photograph: Stephanie totally new environment, can individual students Developing abilities The project received active support
Le Scouiller fully anticipate their own needs? It is therefore more Within universities, disabled students have from stakeholders including IFA,
useful to determine individual abilitiesto undertake successfully participated in fieldwork training when CBA, English Heritage and Oxford
the typical tasks that are part of fieldwork training. there has been understanding and knowledge of Archaeology, as well as the Higher
Aquestionnaire survey of employers and interviews It is about what people can do, not what they their potential abilities and possible limitations. Education Academy’s Subject Centre
with disabled professional archaeologists found a cannot. There is no reason why this should not be the case for History, Classics and Archaeology.
similar situation in commercial archaeology, so that in commercial archaeology. No one knows their own
Many universities offer established archaeology potential ability and limitations better than the Tim Phillips (Project Officer) and
•at any one time up to 10% of the workforce may field schools as an integral part of their courses. It individual concerned. In a totally new environment Roberta Gilchrist (Project Director)
have a disability, less than the national average is through this training that students acquire and this self-awareness can be enhanced by self- Dept. of Archaeology
but greater than previously estimated develop practical archaeological skills, and also evaluation. The tool kit allows a user with no School of Human and Environmental
•the greatest incidence comprises hidden transferable skills. The latter are increasingly previous experience to anticipate what reasonable Sciences
disabilities, especially diabetes and arthritis important to employers, being key ‘competencies’. adjustments may need to be provided. Good University of Reading RG6 6AB
which tend to be late onset conditions, followed Not all Archaeology students will pursue a career in practice involves reviewing provisions and [email protected]
6 The Archaeologist Spring 2007 Number 63 7
A new qualification in Coastal Zone
Assessment
archaeological practice
Kate Geary
Surveys:
recording coastal
The Qualification in Archaeological Practice is a
vocational qualification developed by the Archaeology erosion in Scotland
Who can register?
Training Forum which is being launched early in 2007.
The qualification is available to everyone working
Based on National Occupational Standards (NOS) in in archaeology, whether on a paid or a voluntary
Mike Cressey, Melanie Johnson,
basis, or anyone seeking to develop a career and
Archaeological Practice, it will be awarded by Education who can gather appropriate evidence. It will enable Phil Richardson and Tom Dawson
archaeologists to demonstrate that they have
Development International (EDI), currently the awarding
particular sets of skills, competencies or experience,
body for Cultural Heritage NVQs in the museum sector. The and will be of benefit when applying for jobs,
promotion or membership of IFA. It will also
qualification will be offered at levels 3 and 4 initially, with provide a means of accrediting informal training
and on-the-job learning, particularly important for
a level 5 (strategic management) qualification still in
those in the early stages of their careers. All IFA Coastal erosion in Scotland is an everyday
development. Each level has core units, covering research, training initiatives will be structured around NOS, occurrence, varying from a few millimetres
enabling them to contribute towards the
to several metres a year. Loss of coastal
health and safety and personal development, and a range of qualification.
sediment and exposure of important
options. Quality control is maintained through internal and How much will it cost? archaeological sites and artefacts are not
Because this is completely new, we can only new phenomena, but our response to the
external verifiers attached to the assessment centres and
estimate the costs at present, based on the Cultural rate of erosion is now an important issue.
awarding body answering, ultimately, to the Qualifications Heritage NVQs currently available. Colleges Coastal erosion is predicted to get much
offering these qualifications charge candidates
worse over the next fifty years, particularly
and Curriculum Authority.
around £1000 to £1500 to cover registration and
in areas of soft sediment, as extreme storm
assessment fees and all supporting documentation. The Scottish coastline
This is expensive, and IFAis currently exploring frequency will increase as a result of Assessing erosion covered by Historic
How is it assessed? mechanisms for funding candidates, particularly climate change. The Coastal Survey methodology was originally Scotland-funded Coastal
Vocational qualifications are assessed mainly in the through the Learning and Skills Council. We will devised in 1994 by Patrick Ashmore and published Zone Assessment Survey
workplace. Candidates register with an assessment also be encouraging employers to contribute It is ten years since Historic Scotland commissioned as Archaeological Procedure Paper 4 – Coastal Zone (CZAS)
centre and, working with an assessor, submit towards the cost. the first Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (CZAS), Assessment Survey. The strategy was devised to
evidence that they meet the requirements of the which was carried out by CFAArchaeology along obtain maximum information from a strip
core units and the options they have chosen until Why is it being developed now? the north shoreline of the Solway Firth between extending 100m inland, including the foreshore
they gain their qualification. Prior learning can be The Qualification in Archaeological Practice allows Drumore Point west and Gretna Green, a distance and intertidal zone. Three essential classes of
accredited through submission of work completed competence to be assessed within a consistent, of 317km. Since then more than 25% of the coastline information were gathered and noted on maps and
prior to registration, and there is no time limit for nationally recognised, framework and has the of Scotland has been surveyed. gazetteers
completion. potential to revolutionise vocational training in
archaeology. In order to be successful, it needs to be • hinterland geology and coastal geomorphology –
Recording
IFAhas registered as an assessment centre and is valued by individuals and employers. Over the identifying surface and underlying coastal
exposed
training some staff to be assessors, but the coming months, IFAwill be publicising and deposits and landform processes and
archaeological
qualification will also be available through EDI’s promoting the qualification and we welcome any highlighting coastal areas below 10m OD
remains in the
existing network of centres. Other specialist comments. More information on the NOS and the • erosion class – estimating the extent and severity
cliff on the
organisations may also wish to offer it. IFAis Qualification can be found on the training pages of of erosion, with areas of accretion and stability
island of Baile
aiming to recruit a network of assessors from the IFAwebsite at www.archaeologists.net. • built heritage and archaeological sites –
Sear, North
amongst its members and RAOs and has developed indicating all known and new sites, recording
Uist. © CFA
an on-line recording system, allowing evidence to Kate Geary their condition and recommending future
be submitted and assessed remotely. [email protected] actions.
8 The Archaeologist Spring 2007 Number 63 9
previously unrecorded sites were found, amounting Access Archaeology,
to a fifteen-fold increase in archaeological sites. The monitoring the same site
desk-based assessment identified certain (below) on Baile Sear,
geomorphological regions that were more likely to North Uist. © SCAPE Trust
be eroding, and preliminary analysis indicates that
these correlated with the field survey results. We are
confident that it will prove possible to classify
stretches of Scotland’s coastline as at greater or
lesser risk to erosion and hence be able to focus our
surveys where needed most.
Time and tide
Eroding cliffs at Newshot Island, River Clyde. This ‘Time and tide wait for no man’, so funds are being
land is retreating at over 1m a year. An anchor and sought for new CZAsurveys, community
chain seen in the foreground were originally on dry involvement and collaborative research over the
For more information about SCAPE, including all completed coastal
land and would have been used to control large next ten years. SCAPE is also currently reviewing all
survey reports, see www.scapetrust.org. More information about
ships being launched from one of the ship building Historic Scotland-funded coastal surveys and will
Shorewatch, including the work of the various groups, can be found at
yards at Clydebank. © CFA shortly be publishing recommendations for the
http://www.shorewatch.co.uk.
methodology to be employed in future surveys.
Time and tide won’t wait for us, but we can be
Underlying geology and local topography are example was helped to develop expertise to better prepared for them.
critical in understanding how a site may be affected, produce detailed surveys of fishtraps within the
and areas where active erosion is on-going are intertidal zone close to Helensburgh and to record Mike Cressey, Melanie Johnson and Phil Richardson Tom Dawson Previously unrecorded
assessed by a coastal geomorphologist to establish the rate of cliff recession at Newshot Island. In 2006, CFA Archaeology Ltd University of St Andrews/SCAPE Trust remains exposed in a
the rate of sediment loss, instability and other the Group set up monitoring stations at an inter- Old Engine House St. Katharine’s Lodge, The Scores section of peaty soil on the
factors. In place of the original hand-coloured maps tidal crannog near Dumbarton, the first step in a Eskmills Business Park St Andrews east coast of North Uist
showing each section of coastline as stable or programme of long-term monitoring of erosion of Musselburgh EH21 7PQ Fife KY16 9AL during the 2006 CZA.
eroding we now use GIS mapping techniques, and exposed timbers © CFA
differential GPS receivers help speed up data
recovery in the field, yet Patrick Ashmore’s Storm damage
methodology still underpins each CZAsurvey. In January 2005 the western side of North Uist was
battered by the worst storm in living memory. This
SCAPE projects had a massive impact on the machair dunes facing
The SCAPE (Scotland Coastal Archaeology and the the Atlantic, an area of coast already seriously
Problem of Erosion)Trust was established as a affected by erosion. The island of Baile Sear lost at
A member of Clyde charity in 2001 to research, conserve and promote least 20m of coast in places, including a huge stretch
Shorewatch team plotting a the archaeology of Scotland’s coast. SCAPE has of dune containing a large later prehistoric site. In
fish-trap in the River Clyde managed all Historic Scotland-sponsored coastal response to this damage CFAundertook a coastal
using a GS50 GPS recorder. surveys since 2001, the charity’s affairs being co- survey which recorded erosion affecting 41% of the
© CFA ordinated by Tom Dawson, Katinka Stentoft and coast and identified over 450 new sites, more than
Labhaoise McKenna. Akey SCAPE doubling the number of known sites along this
project is the award-winning stretch of coast. In response, SCAPE encouraged a
Shorewatch initiative, which local group, Access Archaeology, to monitor
encourages and assists local groups threatened sites, with special emphasis on Baile
to locate, record and monitor Sear. The group have made regular visits to
archaeological sites. These groups vulnerable sites and one member, Ronnie Mckenzie,
are in an ideal position for this work, has been photographically charting change at sites
as they are able to draw upon local at regular intervals since spring 2005.
knowledge and are on-hand to note
damage or changes that occur after Then, in October 2006, parts of the eastern seaboard
storms or extreme high tides. of North Uist were surveyed by CFA. This region is
characterised by a fjord system of lagoons and small
Public outreach, particularly for semi-tidal and freshwater basins. One project aim
Shorewatch groups, is a requirement was to see whether particular parts of a coastline
of all coastal surveys managed by could be prioritised for survey from desk-based
SCAPE, and CFAhas aided several assessment alone. Although the effects of erosion
groups. Clyde Shorewatch Group for were less dramatic than on the Atlantic side, 660
10 The Archaeologist Spring 2007 Number 63 11
Patrick C L I M AT E C H A N G E : A T H R E AT
Foster
TO T H E H I S TO R I C E N V I R O N M E N T
Sandray. The Sheader
site, dating from the
Late Bronze Age to
1911, under threat
1995
Elsewhere for example the permafrost of Siberia is
of Garbh Eilean and Eilean an Tighe. By this time
thawing, causing buildings to collapse. Ice melt in
climatic change was being discussed and reported
Greenland is much faster than expected and a sea
with greater detail and seriousness and the
rise is forecast which is higher than much of
The transformed connection with the transformation of the Shiant
Norfolk. While Spain and Portugal become a
ishmus beach coastline was readily understood. Then in January
European desert, England may become some new
between Eilean an This article is a personal view of climatic change and 2005 a winter gale hit the islands with
pattern of island chains, yet archaeologists rarely
Tighe and Garbh its effects on archaeology and the heritage,and an unprecedented ferocity. The west coastlines of
consider the implications. In the forthcoming IFA
Eilean, the Shiant Scotland and the islands as far north as the
exploration of what the future may hold.I am resident seminar Get ready for 2007: new developments in
Islands after the Shetlands were hit.
archaeology and heritagethe themes are curation,
summer gales of in the Czech Republic and in 2002 saw the country,
DESTRUCTION INLAND stewardship, professional qualifications, training etc,
2001 and 2004 including my own town and house,swept with Structural elements being washed out and
not imminent environmental change, though the
On the Shiants great chunks of the columnar basalt
away at the Sheader site, Sandray 1995
devastating floods.Prague itself was extensively subject will feature in the session Visions for the
cliffs were detached and collapsed and large areas of
inundated.The Institute of Archaeology there was the low foreshores were eaten away, but probably future, looking at challenges facing our profession. January 2005 storms.
conduct surveys along the coasts. In 1995 on most alarming was that waves thrown into the air The massive bite
almost destroyed,site archives and photographs,
Sandray an important multi-cultural site, also the after hitting the reefs and bottoms of the cliffs were Such rhetoric as expressed here may appear taken out of the
library,computer rooms,offices and artefact one time home of the notorious ‘Vatersay Raiders’, snatched by the wind and driven inland. After the extreme, but in the Czech case the actual cost of the foreshore and the
storerooms were severely affected,many terminally. was found to be under erosional attack from winter airborne water cascaded to the ground the sucking annual floods, both the extreme cases and the lesser exposed foundations
This well publicised disaster bought a wonderful, gales. Evaluation excavations revealed that the site action as it raced back to the sea plucked any loose inundations can be calculated in many millions of many metres behind
was built on and within a sand dune formation and part of the cover soils away with it. Areas away pounds, as can forest fires in Spain, Portugal, Greece the foreshore. The
world wide response from the archaeological
that the gale-driven sea was progressively sucking from the sea edge, on previously safe ground, were and Italy, and floods and mudslides in Central cottage was filled
profession and the Institute was in some aspects its way around to the rear, removing cover-sand deeply eroded. Many were archaeologically Europe and Italy. Far worse will be the permanent with beach gravel
restored to a better state than its former self.Such and revealing stone structural elements temporarily sensitive, a newly revealed Late Bronze Age-Early loss of land, and more imminent still great loss and after the front door
perched on sand columns (From Barra to Berneray, Iron Age site on the edge of Eilean an Tighe bay and damage to archaeological sites. was smashed open
traumatic events are becoming increasingly common
Sheffield Academic Press and Historic Scotland the foundation soils around Compton Mackenzies’
in Central Europe and the surrounding countries of Patrick Foster
2000). old cottage for example. An early medieval, possibly
The Czech Republic
Poland,Germany and Austria. monastic, and Iron Age site was substantially
[email protected]
Familiarity with the Yorkshire coastline had shown eroded along its sea front, and sites on the northern
ERODING THE HEBRIDES me the erosional consequences of sea action on the end of the Eilean an Tighe lower settlement area
I also direct an archaeological landscape project on glacial clays and vulnerable deposits of Holderness, were similarly threatened. Details are published on
the Shiant islands in the Western Isles of Scotland. but this island survey work bought home the www.shiantisles.net .
Each year we expect at least one severe, gale-force realisation that the archaeology of every coastline
storm during our summer stay. This weather had was endangered. During the summer seasons of Weather in Central Europe and the Western Isles of
become a familiar aspect of Hebridean life and 2001 and 2004 of the Shiant Islands Project gale Scotland illustrate increasingly rapid development
Historic Scotland, aware that coastal erosion is a force storms completely and dramatically of erratic weather patterns combined with the
problem, invited the University of Sheffield to remodelled the ishmus beach between the islands accumulating increase in world wide sea levels.
12 The Archaeologist Spring 2007 Number 63 13
Fieldwork & monasticism: profound influence on the development of the an early date. This presumably replaced the church leading from the ‘Holy Well’ at St Andrew’s church
monastic church in 12th-century Europe. It was the in which Gilbert first established a house or cloister towards the northern cloister. Selected areas of
first of a series of double monasteries, with nuns, for women. resistivity survey were carried out over buildings in
field survey at
lay sisters and lay brothers following something the outer precinct, though here the results were not
akin to the Cistercian rule, with canons to provide The monastery was suppressed in 1538 and replaced good due to demolition material. However, over the
Sempringham Priory,
spiritual guidance following a version of the by a substantial mansion by Edward Clinton, Earl of church results were exceptional, with St Gilbert’s
Augustinian rule, a great English compromise. The Lincoln. Amonastic building was converted to use shrine, steps in the southern church, buttresses and
Lincolnshire rule has been the subject of intense historic debate as a kitchen, and gardens were enclosed by stone vaulting shafts all discerned.
but there is no sound archaeological or architectural walls to the east, south and west. The layout is akin
context in which to understand it. to Wolsey and Henry VIII’s Hampton Court or Lord Saxon origins?
Glyn Coppack and Paul Cope-Faulkner Chancellor Audley’s great house at Audley End in Fieldwalking by Archaeological Project Services
Celibacy in the village Essex. produced a massive quantity of finds, some 47,600
Gilbert’s influence was such that he had persuaded items, dating from the prehistoric to post-medieval
How much can At the Gilbertine priory of Sempringham, virtually all the village to become celibate by 1148, The site of the priory was unknown until small-scale periods. The site of the village showed continued
one of the great lost monasteries of both men and women entering the monastery, excavations in 1938 revealed walls of the post- occupation from Early Saxon times to the end of the
fieldwork medieval Europe and the mother-house although this just may be a bit too simplistic. All suppression house and the ground plan of the medieval period. Saxon finds are also recorded from
of the only English monastic order, that is now left of the village is the isolated church church. Evaluation in the 1980s assessed the damage the site of the subsequent monastery, giving rise to
without worsening problems caused by agriculture of St Andrew, dating to approximately 1160 and caused by agriculture to buried remains. discussion on whether there was a precursor to the
encouraged us to find out. The survey, probably subsumed into the monastery precinct at 12th-century monastery during the Middle Saxon
excavation tell us which was supported by English Heritage, Tracing the structures period. Clusters of finds from the village were
comprised interpretation of all available Aerial photographs, plotted by Rog Palmer of Air related to the darker soil marks of the individual
about a medieval aerial photographs, extensive geophysical Photo Services, showed the east end of the monastic tofts which were further marked by denser Results of the
survey and fieldwalking over the site of church with associated claustral buildings, including quantities of loose limestone and roof tile. Adiscrete resistivity survey
religious site?
the priory and the former village. two cloisters sitting astride the church. The village area of burning is thought to be a tile kiln and kiln south and east of
survived as hollow ways and enclosures. Fresh props are recorded in the assemblage. the outer court. The
An English compromise photographs by Simon Erskine Crum displayed east end of the
Sempringham was developed by Gilbert of soilmarks across the site, and individual walls, with Over the priory, finds mostly related to the post- priory church, a
Sempringham in the 1130s in collaboration with dense spreads of darker soils containing cultural suppression house and medieval finds were not as chapter house and
Bernard of Clairvaux and Ailred of Rievaux, both material, could be traced, mostly relating to the numerous as should be expected. Tile was rare but elements of the
Cistercians, the two people who had the most post-suppression house. Garden areas and courts of the priory was known to be covered in lead which west range of the
the mansion are clearly visible. was removed at the King’s orders in 1539. The area east cloister are
of the south alley of the southern cloister produced clear. Photograph:
Magnetic survey proved quite useful in determining EAS Ltd
the layout and extent of the village, although a
Sempringham Priory from the air. The number of features could not be interpreted. The
east end of the priory church with the piped water supply to the monastery was identified,
dividing medial wall is clearly visible,
with cloister ranges to the north and
south. The earthwork in the
foreground is the outer court of
Edward Clinton’s mansion. © Ministry
of Defence EU8
A contrasting aerial view of soilmarks above
the priory and village. In the central
foreground, most of the soilmarks relate to the
post-suppression house with garden areas to
the west and east of the outer court earthwork. Geophysical survey showing the
Part of the monastic precinct can be identified magnetic results from the priory area.
in the immediate foreground. Sempringham The white square is the outer court
village lies west of the church where darker earthwork. Monastic buildings are not
soilmarks, representing cultural material, and clear and the rectangular anomalies
the lighter rectangular marks of buildings can are principally of the post-suppression
be seen. Photograph: Simon Erskine Crum house. Photograph: EAS Ltd
14 The Archaeologist Spring 2007 Number 63 15
Fieldwalking in progress,
ENGLISH HERITAGE and LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY
the rope grids used can just
be discerned. Photograph:
Archaeological Project
Peter Topping
Services An excerpt from the AS&I
survey of St Mary’s Garrison.
Along the cliff edge a gun
English Heritage’s Archaeological Survey and battery of mid-18th century
Investigation Team (AS&I) has a long-held reputation date is visible, with its
for delivering cutting-edge, definitive analytical curtain wall. To the south
fieldwork as part of the Research Department’s three Civil War earthen gun
multi-disciplinary approach to studying the historic batteries are linked by a
environment. The specialism of landscape bank and ditch earthwork,
archaeology is non-invasive and rapid; it develops now on the cliff edge and
understanding of archaeological sites in their settings threatened by coastal
through detailed observation and research. As such, erosion. This survey
our projects draw on the work of other disciplines demonstrates the ongoing
(cid:3)
including architectural investigation, geophysical The threat from coastal erosion at damage to the sea cliffs and
prospection, aerial survey and excavation, to provide The Garrison, St Mary’s Isles of Scilly the threat to these rare and
the widest understanding of a given area. largely untouched examples
(cid:2)
of early fortifications.
a rare 12th-century gilt bronze tap, where we may identified both its cloisters, identified a major Tudor Partnerships Copyright: English Heritage
expect the laver. Other metalwork includes a mansion (with partial building accounts), recovered In most cases, EH’s integrated fieldwork has been
decorated travelling chalice case lid, along with cultural material identifiable to individual undertaken in partnership with National Parks, Areas
inscribed lead weights and book fittings of structures that will provide their date range and of Natural Beauty (AONBs), Heritage Coasts, Defence
remarkable quality. untangle the monastic buildings from post- Estates, Natural England, the Environment Agency
suppression house, and demonstrated that the site is and local authorities – over a hundred organisations
Fieldwalking identified buildings of the outer actively threatened from continuing cultivation, with during the last decade. This research has fulfilled joint
precinct set around smaller courtyards and along the northern and southern extremities at severe risk. agreements and underpinned management and
the southern boundary, perhaps including a interpretation strategies, particularly at sites of
gatehouse. Ironworking residues were collected Now we hope these results will lead to a research national importance like Silbury Hill or those
adjacent to a mill-pond. Outside of the precinct, a project, with a long-term management plan and threatened, such as the 19th-century alum works
bell-casting pit was visible on the field surface. interpretation for a major archaeological site. Other eroding from the North Sea cliffs in Yorkshire. Key
Gilbertine houses in Lincolnshire, Haverholme and foci for EH’s landscape projects currently include
A context for Priory and mansion Nuns Ormsby, have undergone unpublished protected landscapes in the Dartmoor National Park
Fieldwork therefore has put pre-war excavations excavations during the 1960s, and Lincolnshire and AONBs in the North Pennines and Mendips,
into a meaningful context, established the extent County council and APS have recently completed sites of national importance with conservation
and layout of the first Gilbertine priory and an earthwork survey at Catley Priory, again concerns such as St Mary’s Garrison, Isles of Scilly,
incorporating fieldwalking data, so the years ahead and Guardianship monuments where improved
look to be an exciting time for the rediscovery of the understanding can enhance public enjoyment.
Gilbertine Order.
Management and interpretation Despite the recognised value of landscape
Glyn Coppack (English Heritage) Landscape archaeology provides holistic archaeology to the broad heritage sector, few
The 12th-century gilt-bronze Paul Cope-Faulkner (Archaeological Project Services) understanding of the historic environment, from the professionals are employed in the subject, partly
tap head retrieved not far role of its component parts through to the structure because developer-funded archaeology is not often
from the lavatorium in the and functioning of its totality over time. Fieldwork able to move from excavation to broad
south cloister. Drawing: Golding B 1995 Gilbert of Sempringham and the can identify priorities for management, recording contextualisation of landscapes. Yet it is precisely
Archaeological Project Gilbertine Order c. 1130 - c. 1300(Clarendon Press: erosion impacts or predicting threats, and the grand narratives of landscape change and
Services Oxford) contextualise monuments of cultural significance. development which engages the public imagination,
The value of landscape archaeology to conservation and helps conservation professionals to manage and
Graham R & Braun H 1940 ‘Excavations on the site professionals lies in its rapid, cost-effective response prioritise the monuments in the wider historic
of Sempringham Priory’, J British Archaeol Assoc which provides definitive documentation to define environment.
Third Series 5, 73-101 the detail and full extent of a monument or
landscape for management and interpretation. In Peter Topping
Platts G 1985 ‘The Decline and Demise of those cases where sites cannot be preserved, such as Head of EH Archaeological Survey and Investigation
Sempringham Village’ Lincolnshire History and the coastal alum works, it can also provide a record 24 Brooklands Avenue
ArchaeologyVol. 20, 45-57 for future generations. Cambridge CB2 2BU
16 The Archaeologist Spring 2007 Number 63 17