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Scheduled Monument
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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.
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Conservation Area
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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.
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SAM List
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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.
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WMANS
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West Midlands Archaeological News Sheet, a publication that was produced each year, this later became West Midlands Archaeology. The West Midlands Arcaheological News Sheet contains reports about archaeological work that was carried out in the West Midlands region in the previous year. It includes information about sites dating from the Prehistoric to the Post Medieval periods. It was produced the Department of Extramural Studies at Birmingham University. Copies are held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record.
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Documentary Evidence
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Documentary evidence is another name for written records. The first written records in Britain date back to the Roman period. Documentary evidence can take many different forms, including maps, charters, letters and written accounts.
When archaeologists are researching a site, they often start by looking at documentary evidence to see if there are clues that will help them understand what they might find. Documentary evidence can help archaeologists understand sites that are discovered during an excavation, field survey or aerial survey.
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excavation
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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.
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Medieval
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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.
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LAYER *
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An archaeological unit of soil in a horizontal plane which may seal features or be cut through by other features.
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SITE *
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Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible.
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SCHOOL *
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An establishment in which people, usually children, are taught.
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BUILDING *
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A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known.
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STONE *
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Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function.
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FLOOR *
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A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known.
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FEATURE *
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Areas of indeterminate function.
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TOWER *
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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.
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CHURCH *
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A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known.
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CLOISTER *
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A covered walk, walled on one side and usually arcaded on the other, surrounding or partly surrounding an open area in a monastery or similar complex of Christian buildings.
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COLLEGE OF THE VICARS CHORAL *
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A communal residence of secular vicars whose duties included the education of choristers attached to cathedrals and collegiate churches.
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COLLEGE GARDEN *
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A formal garden consisting of lawns, walks and borders belonging to a college or university, eg. Oxford or Cambridge.
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BUTTS *
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A mound or structure on which an archery, musketry or artillery target is erected. Use specific type where known.
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COLLEGE *
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An establishment, often forming part of a university, for higher or tertiary education.
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TIMBER FRAMED BUILDING *
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A building constructed with a basic timber framework; between the members are panels which can be infilled with timber, wattle and daub, plaster, brick or other materials.
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BOUNDARY WALL *
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Any wall enclosing a building or complex of buildings, eg. prisons, dockyards, factories, etc.
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CATHEDRAL PRECINCT *
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An area of ground immediately surrounding a cathedral.
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TOWN *
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An assemblage of public and private buildings, larger than a village and having more complete and independent local government.
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* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)
