Quote:quote:The Work of Archaeological Wardens
One of the joys of archaeology is that it is such a diverse subject, the pursuit of which embraces a wide range of skills. Local knowledge and enthusiasm are invaluable assets for a Warden to have. Archaeology exists in every parish, sometimes patently obvious, sometimes hidden, and everyone can contribute to recovering and recording it.
The commitment of a Warden is open-ended, dependent upon the time and skills individuals can offer. Some may choose to actively seek out archaeological sites and finds, while others may prefer simply to be a recorder, reporting on information brought to them.
The former is more likely to bring rewards in discovery, leading to preservation or recording, of sites and features, but the importance of collecting records of finds and information received from others should not be understated.
The following are some suggestions of initiatives Wardens could take.
•Record local collections of objects, memories of past land use, and parish lore.
•Encourage people to look in their gardens for finds; garden ornaments can prove to be objects of some antiquity, unrecognised as such, and many finds have been made whilst digging the garden or allotment.
•Establish a field survey, with the co-operation of the farmers. Walking fields in a regular grid is an excellent way of finding objects on the surface, particularly pottery, tile and flint, and locating sites. Newly-ploughed fields are especially important, as many objects deteriorate over the course of a few years' exposure to the elements and to arable cultivation.
•Metal detecting on ploughed fields is a valuable complementary technique to field walking. LCCHS advises against detecting on permanent pasture where no imminent threat of destruction is present, as archaeological features may lie close to the surface and could be damaged by digging to recover detected objects.
•Examine “holes” in the ground such as drainage ditches, service trenches, and building foundation trenches, with due permission. Many fieldworkers have undertaken such “watching briefs” on behalf of LCCHS and the Archaeological Adviser to the local Diocese of the Church of England.
•Record local buildings and traditional building techniques, and "ridge and furrow" earthworks.
•Use of the SMR, and advancing local knowledge, will help Parish Councils in their role of local consultants. These Councils are empowered to draw the attention of planning authorities to the need for consultation with their specialist archaeologist advisers in Leicestershire County Council on particular sites when commenting upon planning applications.