Archaeological Information Resources

This section contains useful information if you want to find out more about archaeology in general, medieval/Ricardian archaeology in particular, or archaeological evidence pertaining to specific individuals, places or events.

The Nature of Archaeological Information:

·          National Monuments Record (NMR): Extensive database of landscape features, sites, monuments, buildings and artefact finds of all periods including medieval; contains listings for all known significant sites in England. Accessible to general public often via local SMR (see below); a fee may be charged for copies of database entries.

·          Sites & Monuments Record (SMR): Local/regional equivalent of NMR, usually maintained at museum, archive or county archaeology unit. Accessible to general public by individual arrangement with organisation concerned.

·          Desk-based Assessments: Reports produced by professional archaeologists, based on assessment of all available evidence about an area/specific site; typically carried out during planning process prior to any development of the site. May include literature searches; map regression; results of field-walking, trial trenching and non-invasive surveys; cross-reference to SMR/NMR. Aimed at developers/interest groups, DBAs are usually comprehensible to non-specialists; however, they are seldom published, and may only be accessible by special arrangement with the archaeology unit/company who produced them (or the client for whom they were written).

·          Excavation Reports: The ultimate aim of every excavation is to produce a full account and interpretation of its findings. Formal excavation reports are written by archaeologists for archaeologists; typically they contain site plans, drawings and photographs; catalogues of features and finds; discussion of environmental evidence; details of artefact analysis; interpretation of finds/features. An essential primary resource, usually published in small print runs and available through specialist suppliers - but not always readable for the non-specialist.

·          Site Archives (plans, photographs, objects etc.): All materials pertaining to excavation that have been selected for long-term retention. May include: context sheets; finds catalogues; plans, drawings, photographs, X-rays; artefacts; soil samples; environmental remains (animal and/or human bone, preserved wood/plant materials, pollen samples, insect/mollusc remains etc); research/reference material. Site archives may be held in entirety by a single museum, archaeology unit or central body like English Heritage, or be distributed among several such bodies. Essential primary evidence, usually available to serious enquirers/students by individual arrangement with the archive-holding organisation.

·          Professional Journals: Periodic publications containing latest research and developments in the field, for example The Ricardian or Medieval Archaeology. Usually only available via subscription to the relevant society or association, although major journals (like Proceedings of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society) may be available in reference sections of local libraries. Information may also be available through the organisation’s website.

·          Popular Archaeology Publications: Books and magazines aimed at an interested general readership, usually available through High Street outlets, quality bookshops and university/specialist bookshops. Oxbow, Routledge, Butterworth, various University Presses (Cambridge, Leicester) and national institutions (eg British Museum, National Trust, English Heritage) are all major publishers and/or suppliers of archaeology/ heritage/medieval history books, ranging from general interest to highly technical and specialised.

Where to Find Archaeological Information:

·          Local, Regional and National Museums: Museums are a good starting point for studying original material. They often display medieval finds in their archaeology or local history galleries, and/or act as repositories for long-term storage of archaeological archives. Access policies to reserve (stored) collections, site archives, specialist publications etc. vary between different institutions – enquire through the Curator if you would like to know what relevant material the museum holds/request permission to study or photograph items. Most museums hold detailed computerised catalogues of their collections, some of which (like the British Museum's) are available on-line.

·          Archaeology Units/Independent Companies: Town and County Archaeology Units and private archaeological contracting companies may act as temporary or permanent repositories for archaeological archives, and allow access for research purposes subject to individual agreement. They are often listed in telephone directories; alternatively, your local museum or regional museums, libraries and archives agency may be able to provide contact details. Archaeologists/companies are also listed on the Institute of Field Archaeologists database, and Museums Association directory of suppliers and consultants (see Relevant Bodies below).

·          Local Archaeology/Heritage Societies, Friends Groups: Subscription organisations often run through local museums, libraries or churches, aimed at pursuing, promoting and/or protecting specific interests. Useful contact point: typically have regular programme of meetings/lectures, may produce newsletters/journals, organise training, excavations, conferences, carry out original research. Information and contact details available through local library or on Internet.

·          Local and National Libraries and Archives: Essential collections of primary/contemporary historical sources used to help understand and interpret archaeological evidence. British Library and National Archive hold most of the original documents pertaining to Richard III. Apply directly to the institutions to become a British Library Registered Reader or gain access for research purposes.

·          Universities and Colleges: A wide range of courses on archaeology, leading to qualifications ranging from GCSEs to doctorates, is available at institutions throughout the country. Archaeology training institutions (eg Universities of Bradford, Cambridge, Durham, Leicester, Sheffield, Southampton) usually have good reference libraries (which members of the public may apply to join) and sometimes collections of study material. They may also offer opportunities for members of the public to become involved in training excavations – apply to the relevant Archaeology Department for further information.

Relevant Bodies:

Ancient Monuments Society: Study and conservation of historic buildings. www.ancientmonumentssociety.org.uk

Council for British Archaeology: Promotion and safeguarding of British archaeology. Publishes journal Current Archaeology. www.britarch.ac.uk

Conservation Register: Selective database of conservation-restoration professionals in UK and Ireland. www.conservationregister.com

English Heritage (Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission): Government’s advisor on all aspects of historic built environment in England; manages and conserves sites, awards conservation grants and provides advisory and education services. www.english-heritage.org.uk

Institute of Conservation: Professional body for conservator-restorers, including archaeological conservators. Organises conferences, publishes journal Icon News. www.instituteofconservation.org.uk

Institute of Field Archaeologists: Professional body for archaeological site workers. www.archaeologists.net

National Council for Metal Detecting: Essential information for all responsible detectorists wishing to contribute to the UK’s heritage. www.ncmd.co.uk

National Monuments Record: Public archive of English Heritage containing database of archaeological sites/finds, over 3 million historic building records and complete coverage of England in aerial photographs. www.english-heritage.org.uk

Museums Association: Professional body for all those working in museums; publisher of monthly Museums Journal and annual Museums Yearbook, a directory of all UK museums and related organisations including MLACs (see below). www.museumsassociation.org.

Museums, Libraries & Archives Council (MLAC): Central strategic body advising museums, libraries and archives, and advising Government on inter-related heritage/information issues. Maintains databases of all UK member institutions, type/size of collections held; publishes/supplies books on care of collections including archaeological/medieval.

Portable Antiquities Scheme: National scheme to foster responsible metal detecting and encourage the reporting/good care of finds, administered by network of local Finds Liaison Officers. Publishes annual reports and advisory notes, available in hard copy from The Portable Antiquities Scheme, British Museum, London WC1B 3DG, or on-line from www.finds.org.uk.

Regional Agencies (Regional MLACs): Network of 12 regional bodies across UK supporting museums, libraries and archives and those who work in them. Maintain databases, co-ordinate regional training and advisory services, publish/disseminate directories and information to public on heritage/information resources. London: www.londonmuseums.org Yorkshire: www.ymlac.org.uk

Society for Medieval Archaeology: Exists to further study of medieval archaeology. Holds annual conference, publishes journal Medieval Archaeology. www.socmedarch.org

Sources of Funding for Archaeology/Heritage Projects:

Heritage Lottery Fund: Various grant-giving schemes for different types/sizes of project intended to safeguard and communicate heritage. www.hlf.org.uk

Local Heritage Initiative: National grant scheme run by the Countryside Agency to help local groups investigate, explain and care for local landscape, traditions and culture. www.lhi.org.uk