Heritage and archaeology

Foresty Commission programme manager:
Marcus Sangster
Research contact and location: Marcus Sangster
Environment and Human Sciences Division
Forest Research and other institutes

The Forestry Commission has for many years had a strong interest in conserving archaeological remains in forests, and in the historical and cultural value of woodlands themselves. The focus of this programme extends beyond artefacts and monuments to include an understanding of the cultural heritage bequeathed by centuries of human activity in woodlands and the wider historic environment. The research aims are:

to identify mechanisms by which the cultural heritage of woodland can be conserved;
to raise awareness of archaeology and the wider historic environment in relation to forest management;
to identify the contribution that an understanding of past woodland history can make to future forestry policy and practice.

The programme is small but has a number of key projects:

The effects of trees and forest operations on archaeological features – research to understand the nature of the impacts and to identify methods of mitigation;
Development of fieldwork methodologies for use in the archaeological assessment process. Ending 2005-6. Output includes assessment of remote sensing applications including LIDAR;
Participation in the Scottish Environmental History programme;
The Forest of Dean and Northants Forest District heritage mapping and assessment projects. Outputs include review of PAWS restoration implications;
An Oral History project examining the effects of a Scottish forest on the lives of people that lived and worked there.

Commissioned reports

No reports available at this time

| | | |