|
Scheduled Monument
|
Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.
SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
|
| back |
|
Listed Building
|
Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.
Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
|
| back |
|
|
Conservation Area
|
The character of a town or village is often enhanced by its streets and buildings. Where these places are of special architectural or historic interest, they are protected by being designated as a Conservation Area. Conservation Areas vary greatly and can range from historic town centres to country houses set in parkland. Their special characteristics come from a combination of factors including the quality of buildings, the historic layout of roads and boundaries, use of characteristic building materials, the presence of trees and street furniture. All features within the area are recognised as part of its special character. Within Conservation Areas there are greater controls over demolition, minor developments and protection of trees.
|
| back |
|
SAM List
|
Scheduled Ancient Monument List. A list or schedule of archaelogical and historic monuments that are considered to be of national importance. The list contains a detailed description of each Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) and a map showing their location and extent. By being placed on the schedule, SAMs are protected by law from any unauthorised distrubance. The list has been compiled and is maintained by English Heritage. It is updated periodically.
|
| back |
|
|
TBAS
|
Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record.
|
| back |
|
|
WMA
|
West Midlands Archaeology. This publication contains a short description for each of the sites where archaeological work has taken place in the previous year. It covers Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire. Some of these descriptions include photographs, plans and drawings of the sites and/or the finds that have been discovered. The publication is produced by the Council For British Archaeology (CBA) West Midlands and is published annually. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record.
|
| back |
|
excavation
|
Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.
Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
more ->
|
| back |
|
Modern
|
The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)
In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more ->
|
| back |
|
|
Medieval
|
1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)
The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.
The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.
The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
more ->
|
| back |
|
|
modern
|
About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)
In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more ->
|
| back |
|
CIVIL *
|
This is the top term for the class. See CIVIL Class List for narrow terms.
|
| back |
|
|
PALISADE *
|
An enclosure of stakes driven into the ground, sometimes for defensive purposes.
|
| back |
|
|
SITE *
|
Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible.
|
| back |
|
|
ANGLE TOWER *
|
A fortified tower found at the angle of a castle wall.
|
| back |
|
|
BARBICAN *
|
Any earthworks, walling, bastion or fortified outwork, or combination of these, generally with ditch or moat.
|
| back |
|
|
BREWHOUSE *
|
An outbuilding containing brewing equipment, as opposed to a large commercial BREWERY. Often found in conjunction with public houses, country houses etc.
|
| back |
|
|
BUILDING *
|
A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
STONE *
|
Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function.
|
| back |
|
|
KEEP *
|
The major tower of a fortification, often acting as its last defence.
|
| back |
|
|
FLOOR *
|
A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
FEATURE *
|
Areas of indeterminate function.
|
| back |
|
|
TOWER *
|
A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
CHURCH *
|
A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
MOAT *
|
A wide ditch surrounding a building, usually filled with water. Use for moated sites, not defensive moats. Use with relevant site type where known, eg. MANOR HOUSE, GARDEN, etc.
|
| back |
|
|
BURH *
|
An Anglo-Saxon fortified town or other defended site, not necessarily urban.
|
| back |
|
|
PATH *
|
A way made for pedestrians, especially one merely made by walking (often not specially constructed).
|
| back |
|
|
FORTIFICATION *
|
A usually permanent defensive work. Use specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
CASTLE *
|
A fortress and dwelling, usually medieval in origin, and often consisting of a keep, curtain wall and towers etc.
|
| back |
|
|
PALACE *
|
A substantial house in a town or the country (particularly associated with medieval London). Use more specific monument types where known.
|
| back |
|
|
COURTYARD *
|
An uncovered area, surrounded or partially surrounded by buildings.
|
| back |
|
|
GATEHOUSE *
|
A gateway with one or more chambers over the entrance arch; the flanking towers housing stairs and additional rooms. Use with wider site type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
DEFENCE *
|
This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms.
|
| back |
|
|
MOTTE AND BAILEY *
|
An early form of castle consisting of a flat-top steep-sided earthen mound, supporting a wooden tower, and a bailey.
|
| back |
|
|
ENCLOSURE *
|
An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
WOOD *
|
A tract of land with trees, sometimes acting as a boundary or barrier, usually smaller and less wild than a forest.
|
| back |
|
|
TRENCH *
|
An excavation used as a means of concealment, protection or both.
|
| back |
|
|
DITCH *
|
A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year.
|
| back |
|
|
GARDEN *
|
An enclosed piece of ground devoted to the cultivation of flowers, fruit or vegetables and/or recreational purposes. Use more specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
UNDERCROFT *
|
A vault or crypt under a church or chapel. Use wider site type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
BAILEY *
|
The courtyard of a castle, ie. the area enclosed by the rampart or curtain. Use with wider site type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
SIEGE *
|
In the glass industry this is bench-like structure within the melting-furnace on which crucibles are placed.
|
| back |
|
|
MOUND *
|
A natural or artificial elevation of earth or stones, such as the earth heaped upon a grave. Use more specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
CURTAIN WALL *
|
A wall between two towers or pavilions, usually surrounding a building, and often forming a major part of the defences.
|
| back |
|
|
WALL *
|
An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
CONSTRUCTION TRENCH *
|
A trench dug in order to receive the foundations of a structure such as a stone wall etc.
|
| back |
|
|
DOMESTIC *
|
This is the top term for the class. See DOMESTIC Class List for narrow terms.
|
| back |
|
|
BATTERY *
|
A site where guns, mortars or searchlights are mounted. Use specific type where known.
|
| back |
|
|
MOTTE *
|
An artificial steep-sided earthen mound on, or in, which is set the principal tower of a castle.
|
| back |
* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)
