Data copyright © Dr Malcolm Lillie unless otherwise stated
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Dr
Malcolm
Lillie
Wetlands Archaeology and Environments Research Centre
University of Hull
Cottingham Road
Hull
HU6 7RX
England
This report presents the results of hydrological monitoring and modeling of groundwater conditions at the site of Newington, in the Idle River valley, Nottinghamshire. The project arose as a result of the fact that previous work assessing the impacts of aggregates extraction on groundwater systems and wetland environments, has shown that significant impacts in terms of drawdown and the compromising of the conditions necessary for the in situ preservation of waterlogged archaeological remains, was intimately associated with extraction.
Using a combination of geo-hydrological and GIS modeling of groundwater, alongside physico-chemical and biological studies of in situ burial environments, the research presented below has shown that water abstraction, as opposed to aggregates extraction, is the most significant factor influencing in situ preservation at Newington.
The results have demonstrated that an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to floodplain wetlands is essential if a holistic understanding of these environments is to be generated. The research has demonstrated that long term sustainability is unlikely in this area given current water management strategies, and predicted future climate change scenarios. Recommendations for mitigation and management of the waterlogged archaeological resource of floodplain wetlands are provided, on the basis of the results obtained to date.