Each time period is allocated its own set of research questions. Alongside this are a set of general research questions for the archaeology and historic environment of the North West which are not period-specific.
A number of overarching comments came out of the workshop discussions for the framework that should be taken into consideration:
Provide assemblages they can use to further their careers. Need forums to bring disparate elements of archaeological community together. Potential for collaboration scoping activity between Regional Heritage Centre and Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society (CWAAS) u2013 using existing informal networks to gather contact details in first instance. Can HERs be promoted more widely in the academic?
nLinks to GS8
n
Co-operation with diocese and faculties needed for access to archives. Diocese to allow access to watching brief and other reports to help understand sites into the dissolution period. (and links to 4.30 Early Med)
nLink with GS8
As the majority of lithic scatters are derived from coastal assemblages and erosion scars, and often contain material of mixed date, the identification and excavation of stratigraphically secure and scientifically datable material in association with lithic assemblages is imperative. (2.5:2.57) Publish with the titles/abstracts of work (research) using development control based material eg. Quaker Cemetery, North Shields, Proctor 2016. Continue publication and range of where work done/on-going etc. Database across periods versus themes of such existing lists.
nLinks to GS4
Routine radiocarbon dating should be in all briefs. Compare/contrast intra-regional ceramic types, such as for Cumbria and N.Lancs. Reference collections are needed and training needed on identification of LMED ceramics. (5.1:5.1), together with relevant scientific dating applications. This principle needs to be applied to a range of artefacts including metal work.
nLinks to GS15
Attempt to link the fragmentary artefact sequences to some kind of chronologically robust framework.(4.1:4.6) This is particularly relevant for the Early Medieval period.
nLinks with GS13
Absence of known distributions should not be regarded as genuine gaps and should be addressed positively through site assessments and evaluations (see above General Introduction). Similarly, genuine absences of relevant material in field walking or other interventions should be recorded to contribute towards a fuller picture of overall land use in the period. (3.2:3.7) Use aerial photography, LIDAR mapping as methods for assessing if gaps exist.
nLinks to GS32, GS33 and GS38
Strategy for cremated remains, synthesis and analysis. Wherever identified, cremated remains should receive full and integrated analysis to investigate the range of practices and their distributions and associations. (3.6:3.36) Where statistically viable groups of burials are encountered full scientific analysis using all available techniques should be a high priority. (5.4: 5.28)
nLinks with GS43
DNA analysis should be deployed wherever feasible, for indications of whether individuals in groups of burials are related and to shed light on questions of homogeneity of populations. (3.6:3.38)
nLink to GS43
Date late Holocene peat sequences by radiocarbon assay, particularly in the south of the region, which currently lacks any well dated analysed sequences. (4.3:4.17) Dating and analysis of Holocene peat sequences. STRATEGY Sampling strategy: A programme of analysis should target late Holocene peat and silt deposits, with good dating control and using a variety of methods. There is a need to look not only for woodland clearance and the introduction or increase in pasture and arable, but also for surface wetness indicators relating to climate change and indicators of industrial emissions. (3.3:3.14)
Continued air survey must be exploited for further identification of prehistoric sites. The systematic analysis of existing aerial photos is also required. Many sites may already have been photographed, but as yet remain unknown within archaeological terms. Characterisation of the air photo record may also lead to significant alteration of the distribution of known sites and provide targets for geophysics and trial excavation of both settlement and monumental complexes. (2.1:2.6)
nLinks to GS18, 33 and 38
Approximately 20% of the Lake District National Park has been covered by archaeological survey, and around 90% of known cairnfields have been recorded. Many other areas of upland with few known or previously recorded field monuments, have seen little or no attention, and need to be assessed. Outside those areas which have seen detailed survey, information remains confined to the few published sources available, largely the result of antiquarian descriptions. There are therefore significant problems with the coverage and compatibility of the different datasets generated by varied approaches to the upland record. Further surveys should be undertaken in order that fieldwork bias is not taken to represent the actual distribution of monuments at a topographic or regional scale. (2.5:2.31) Assess the further surveys undertaken since original research framework published to review and inform new targeting strategy. GIS/Lidar/mapping/modelling to facilitate targeted field survey.
nLinks to GS18, GS31, GS32
There is a pressing need to publish or make accessible those surveys and excavations that have not yet been placed in the public domain, including large projects such as the Lake District National Park Survey. Development-related work that exists only in client reports or in Historic Environment Record (HER) requires regular synthesis and summarising. (2.1:2.1) Note: Lake District National Park survey was published in 2012. What was the relationship between settlements on the uplands, midlands and low lands? Academic-based research is required. Strategy for linking low to up lands could be to establish a rapid response team on newly ploughed u2018permanentu2019 pasture before vegetation re-growth.
nLinks with GS18 and GS 32
Excavations should recover palaeoenvironmental data from cess pits and other suitable cut features to inform on diet, health, natural resource use and consumption patterns. (7.1:7.9) Opportunities need to be taken for the use of palaeoenvironmental and geochemical analyses of the historic environmental impacts of specific industries and industrialisation in general. (7.1:7.10) Links to evidence from burials/skeletons.
nLinks with GS43
Previously excavated skeletal and artefactual material (particularly pottery) needs to be re-examined, and, where appropriate, scientifically dated, to establish whether a phase in the development of burial practice in the region has, to date, largely escaped notice. (4.4:4.38)
nLinks to GS42, GS19 and GS20
Excavation and scientific analysis of 18th and 19th century dock deposits. (7.6:7.43) Review previous archaeological surveys and excavations, published material and unpublished reports, HER data. Mersey Docks and Harbour Board: plans held by Merseyside Maritime Archives are a huge resource u2013 largely uncatalogued and selective, digitisation would be good.
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