Post-medieval Research Agenda

The current revision of the East of England Research Framework augments both the original version of the Framework, published in two parts in 1997 and 2000, and a revised and updated version, published in 2011.

P-Med 01: How should we refer to the post-medieval period?

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Post-medieval suggests an afterthought. It would be preferable to use the historians’ terms, early modern and modern, for after all, this is a period for which the historical sources take over and the contribution of archaeology is reduced. For that reason, where the scope and scale of projects allow it, there would be mutual benefit to working with social and economic historians. Because post-medieval archaeology deals with the recent past, it presents opportunities to capture public interest and hence for community involvement.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 02: How best can we synthesise what we already know about the post-medieval period?

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https://researchframeworks.org/eoe/researchframework/v1/question/question-5e2b09809cf0a
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Inevitably there is an urgent need for synthetic assessments of the hundreds of projects and grey literature reports which have been, and continue to be, generated through the planning system. Such work would be likely to rebalance the present state of knowledge in many areas of study and give rise to new issues and problems that should be addressed.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 03: How can we ensure better collaboration between post-medieval archaeologists and historic buildings specialists?

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Buildings have not figured prominently in previous research frameworks, despite the large numbers of records being made. There is a need for better communication between conservation officers and archaeologists in terms of setting briefs for recording of post-medieval sites and structures. The assessments of them should be presented in the wider context of building development and architectural history, making a more accurate assessment of their significance possible.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 04: What can we learn about the provenance of timber used in post-medieval buildings?

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The provenance of the timber used in buildings, whether local or imported, is a subject that warrants further research.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 05: How can we increase our understanding of post-medieval cottages and smaller houses?

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Cottages and smaller houses are in need of further study.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 06: How can we increase our understanding of post-medieval farms and farmsteads?

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Work on farm buildings should attempt to consider how they have been used, and their relationship to the farmstead and wider landholding. The development of the farmstead c.1750-1914, and the way buildings reflect changing agricultural practice, remains an important research topic.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 07: How can we increase our understanding of post-medieval bricks and brickwork in the region?

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Regionally based studies of bricks and brickwork, like the work of Ryan (1996) for Essex, would assist the analysis of historic structures.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 08: How can we make best use of historic building recording in the planning process?

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Recording where necessary should be done earlier in the planning process, as a preliminary to applications so that it informs the decisions eventually taken. It should take place prior to any stripping of fixtures and fittings. Recording briefs should provide for monitoring once work has started. They should also be more precise about the drawings required, specifying ground plans with a basic degree of interpretation as a minimum. Special attention should be given to ensure recording where appropriate of the largely unlisted post-1840 building stock, more significant buildings being treated as undesignated heritage assets or given the protection of local listing.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 09: How can we capture the changing character of post-medieval urban centres?

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Work in towns would benefit from the existence of urban characterisation surveys. Changes through time in the built environment can reflect developments in the character and economy of towns.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 10: How can we increase our understanding of the post-medieval marine economy?

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Seaside towns, ports, wharves and structures associated with the marine economy, all need further study.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 11: How can we increase our understanding of post-medieval urban high streets?

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High streets, in their current depressed condition, are vulnerable to change and redevelopment, and should be monitored for investigation and recording.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 12: How should we approach the excavation of post-medieval deposits?

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Urban excavation should prioritise post-medieval deposits if in good condition: stripping down to earlier deposits is unacceptable in such circumstances. Excavation briefs should make it explicit that post-medieval layers should not be machined off, unless it has been established that they are of little significance. This should be made clear in briefs issued to contractors. Opportunities for environmental sampling of post-medieval deposits should not be neglected, so as to better understand the environment in this period. Well preserved archaeological remains of 18th and 19th century housing are probably rare, and the opportunity to investigate them should be taken, especially if artefact assemblages are also present.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 13: What can archaeology add to our understanding of well-documented periods?

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It is at the level of ordinary living standards and material culture that archaeology can best contribute to the study of well documented periods. Artefacts that seem understudied, and which would benefit from regional overviews, are country pottery, clay pipes, and glass. More resources should be put into the study of artefacts which are relatively neglected compared to other periods. Advantage should be taken of specialist knowledge in museums and local societies. From the 19th century, there is the opportunity to trace the success and distribution of branded goods.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 14: How can we characterise the post-medieval historic landscape and the factors which affected it?

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The wider landscape requires acknowledgement as the context for post-medieval settlement and industrial development, as well as farm buildings. Conversely, the impact of social and economic change – religion, enclosure, poverty etc – on the landscape should be taken into account. The county surveys of historic landscapes need to be brought to completion and updated where necessary, and integrated into the planning process as valuable tools for their protection.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

P-Med 15: How can we ensure that post-medieval military structures from all periods are recorded uniformly?

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Research on defences and fortifications tends to be unbalanced in favour of the two world wars, and should take more consideration of the impact of the earlier Civil War, the Anglo-Dutch wars, and Napoleonic wars. The World War II surveys of Essex and the Suffolk coast, whilst requiring further synthesis, need to be extended to other parts of the region. Greater consistency is required in recording World War II structures. The material culture of military sites is an aspect of them on which archaeology can uniquely provide information. Military sites which are being closed down or mothballed should be recommended for recording.

Status:
Active
Authority to change status:
ALGAO East
Date accepted:
01/06/2019
Date of next review:
01/06/2021

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