Monuments

Archaeological monuments are themselves a useful source of information. They are not usually excavated unless they are threatened by development but there are opportunities to study them in a non-intrusive way such as through geophysical survey, topographical survey and fieldwalking. If these methods have been used previously there will be a report you can consult in the Historic Environment Record. Otherwise you may wish to undertake an investigation of your own. Advice on how to do this will be provided later in the year.

Archaeological monuments can also form integral parts of management plans for settlements and landscapes. The conservation and presentation of archaeological monuments can be used to strengthen the character of a place and a sense identity amongst a community.

Buckinghamshire has many standing and sub-surface archaeological monuments such as Neolithic, Bronze Age, Roman and Saxon barrows; Iron Age hillforts and cross-dykes; Roman villas and roads; Saxon churches and boundary banks; medieval churches, houses, moats, mottes, deserted settlements and ridge-and-furrow; and post-medieval and modern field systems, canals, roads, factories, military installations and many more. Other sub-surface deposits, like settlements, are also described as monuments though they may be now built over.

Records of excavations or surveys of these monuments are held at the Historic Environment Record. By searching the online database you will be able to identify archaeological reports to consult. Some of these are available online, otherwise you can ring us and come in to our office to consult them.

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