Archaeology

Archaeology is about understanding past human societies, and their environment, through the surviving material remains they have left; the places they lived and worked, the monuments and buildings they built, the goods they made and the rubbish they left, their ceremonies and beliefs, health and diet.

Our archaeology team are working to preserve the county's archaeological heritage by:

• Maintaining and developing the county-wide database for historic environmental information (the Historic Environment Record/Sites and Monuments Record)
• Supporting and advising local planning authorities in the county, other departments within the County Council and 'statutory undertakers' with permitted development rights (gas, water, electricity, telecommunications companies) in implementing measures to mitigate/offset the damaging effects of construction and development
• Supporting and advising landowners, farmers and national agencies on all land management proposals, grant-dependent agri-environment and tree planting schemes which may affect or enhance the historic environment
• Supporting English Heritage (as the Government's lead body and statutory adviser) on the protection of nationally important archaeological sites
• Promoting understanding of the importance of the historic environment as part of the wider sustainability movement through outreach opportunities and support for local archaeological groups and societies.