Cornish Archaeology / Hendhyscans Kernow (50)

Charles Thomas, former president of the Cornwall Archaeological Society and editor of the first volume of its journal, Cornish Archaeology, reflects on how the Society came into being in 1961-2. An outline of his Cornish roots and archaeological career is followed by a selection of his most significant contributions to Cornish archaeology, early history and place names. LD

Three members of the Cornwall Archaeological Society contribute short pieces on how the Society has affected their lives. James Milnn describes his participation in excavations at Carn Brea and Longstone Down in the early 1970s, whilst Margaret Hunt recalls her first encounter with Edith Dowson, who was instrumental in bringing archaeology into Margaret's life. Pamela Bousfield recalls the local history lectures of Veronica Cheshers in 1966, and the help received from the Society during the writing of A history of St Breward. LD

Describes the development of the Historic Environment Record (HER) for Cornwall and Scilly from its beginnings as a paper-based Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) in the 1970s. The content of the SMR was recast into a computerised database between 1984 and 1994 and has since been developed and expanded further, with numerous datasets now integrated with GIS (a Geographical Information System) to form the HER. LD

The National Mapping Programme project for Cornwall was set up in the mid-1990s and completed in 2006. More than 50,000 aerial photographs, as well as the in-house archive of Cornwall County Council, were used to map some 30,000 archaeological features, 75% of which were not previously recorded in the county's Historic Environment Record. The project has added significantly to understanding of Cornish archaeology in a number of areas. However, whilst certain aspects of the mapping are of particular interest, the greatest value of the project data is that it provides an overview of the historic landscape. LD

Outlines the history of geophysical survey of archaeological sites in Cornwall, which effectively began in 1978 with the survey of eight sites by a team from the Department of the Environment's Ancient Monuments Laboratory. The effectiveness of different techniques within the county is summarised and some notable investigations and discoveries are mentioned. LD

Three trends are identified that have made a difference to the nature of archaeological excavation in Cornwall over the last twenty-five years: the change in planning policy that has seen developer-funded investigations become the norm where archaeological remains are affected by development; an increase in the scale of investigations and excavations; and regular and consistent sampling for environmental analysis and scientific dating. Ten key excavations that have made a real difference to knowledge and understanding are then highlighted, comprising: prehistoric settlement at Richard Lander School and Truro College, Higher Besore; a Middle Bronze Age settlement at Trethellan, Newquay; an Early Neolithic tor enclosure at Helman Tor; prehistoric and Romano-British settlement along the A30 Fraddon to Indian Queens bypass; an Iron Age ceremonial site at Hay Close, St Newlyn East; post-Roman occupation on Tintagel Island; post-Roman to post-medieval remains at Tintagel Churchyard; an Iron Age burial at Bryher, Scilly; Romano-British and early medieval settlement at Duckpool, Morwenstow; and a medieval collegiate church at Glasney, Penryn. Some themes that have been poorly explored by excavation are also mentioned. LD

Gives a brief introduction to the history and role of the Royal Cornwall Museum, which holds the majority of the archaeological finds and archives for the county on behalf of the Royal Institution of Cornwall. Some key changes seen by the museum over the last twenty-five years are discussed, looking at areas such as the role of the curator, funding streams, the acquisition and disposal policy, improvements in documentation, and the creation of a conservation laboratory. A final section describes recent factors that have contributed to increasing pressures on archaeology curators at regional museums. LD

Traces the development of government-funded national agri-environment schemes over the last twenty years and the positive effects of such schemes on the management of archaeological sites and landscapes in Cornwall. Covers the Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme (introduced in 1987); the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (piloted in 1991); the establishment of a Historic Environment Countryside Advisor post at Cornwall County Council in 2000; and the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, introduced in 2005. LD

Discusses the recent history of the preservation and conservation of industrial remains in Cornwall. Until about the mid-1990s, work carried out on former industrial sites was driven and specified by non-archaeologists, leading to a loss of complexity at many sites. Historic environment professionals have since had increasing input into conservation programmes, leading to detailed recording of sites, the provision of advice on best practice in conservation methodologies, and the safeguarding of large areas of the industrial landscape of the county. Some sites that have been acquired and preserved by local authorities and the National Trust in Cornwall are highlighted. However, it is noted that funding for some elements of the industrial heritage has been less easy to attract than for structures such as engine houses, and that the availability of public funds to undertake further work is likely to be greatly restricted in the future. The importance of a well-informed and sensitive strategic management plan is seen as key to the adaptive reuse of industrial structures. LD

The last quarter century has seen challenges to the notion of who can practice and who can access archaeology. This notion depends on how archaeology itself is defined: whether it is a profession, an academic subject or a type of edutainment. This paper reflects on a number of political and social trends, including the changing role of archaeology and its impact on education providers in Cornwall, including the Cornwall Archaeology Society, through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. This period started with the decline of the 'expert' amateur, has largely been characterised by increasing professionalisation, and has ended with a return towards community-centred provision but with diverse interests and approaches.

This short paper considers changing perceptions of industrial-era remains over the last fifty years, focusing on Cornish mining remains. It moves on to discuss the process of 'heritage making' and how boundaries are drawn between the past and the present. The archaeology of the future can be defined as that which is currently, or soon to be, abandoned and forgotten, a concept illustrated by the interest of contemporary archaeologists in remains of the very recent past such as Cold War bunkers, peace camps and prison complexes. LD

Briefly introduces Time Team, a television programme first broadcast on Channel 4 in 1994 which uses the format of a three-day investigation to capture the excitement of archaeological discovery. Cornish sites have featured in six televised investigations, as well as two Time Team Specials. The findings of the main projects are summarised, and it is noted that the first three have been published in Cornish Archaeology, whilst publication in the journal of summaries of the more recent sites has been recommended. Featured sites comprise: an Iron Age fogou at Boleigh, near St Buryan; a medieval leper hospital at St Leonards, Launceston; Iron Age hillforts at Gear and Caer Vallack, where evidence for Neolithic and Bronze Age activity prior to construction of both hillforts was found; a possible Neolithic bank cairn and a Bronze Age roundhouse settlement on the western flanks of Rough Tor, Bodmin Moor; Iron Age and Roman period settlement at Lellizzick near Padstow; and medieval chapel sites at Looe, at one of which a Romano-British enclosure was also discovered. LD

Discusses definitions and perceptions of landscape, which itself is transitory and ever changing. An account is then given of how the landscape in Cornwall has been shaped by people from the Mesolithic period to the twentieth century. LD

Introduction to the study of the archaeology of the Isles of Scilly, beginning with accounts published by Paul Ashbee and Charles Thomas in the mid-1980s and outlining some of the projects that have looked at the islands' landscape and archaeology over the last twenty-five years. These have included the five-year Coastal Erosion Project, a Historic Landscape Characterisation Project, numerous small-scale interventions instigated by development, and academic research. The most recent significant initiative is the Lyonesse Project, a two-year study commissioned by English Heritage in 2009 to look at the evolution of the coastal and marine environment of Scilly. Discoveries and fieldwork relating to periods from the Mesolithic to the present day are then used to illustrate the occupation of Scilly chronologically. Preparation of a Research Framework for the historic environment of the area, commissioned in 2010 by English Heritage, will guide future priorities and directions for research. LD

Over the last twenty-five years a number of projects have provided information on the chronology and sequence of ceramic styles in Cornwall during the last millennium BC. Understanding of the ceramic sequence has been greatly assisted by the now regular practice of obtaining multiple radiocarbon dates from excavated sites. New information has been especially important for the Late Bronze Age and the Middle and Late Iron Ages; data are still scanty for the Early Iron Age. This summary is intended as a basis for refinement as new data becomes available. Ceramics are described and discussed under the following subheadings: Late Bronze Age Plain Ware; Earliest Iron Age; Early Iron Age Plain Jar Group; Middle Iron Age South Western Decorated ware; and Late Iron Age Cordoned ware. Au/LD

A 1986 survey of then current understanding of the early medieval period in Cornwall by Ann Preston-Jones and Peter Rose has supported and stimulated most of what has happened since. This article selects highlights from the body of subsequent work in order to provide an update. Three areas of study have seen particularly great changes in our understanding: rural landscape; Christianity and its ramifications; and regional and local identity as reflected in pottery and the sourcing of potting clay. Underpinning each, and much other work on this period, is a greater certainty that rather than being the period when Britain's fabric and society was moulded, as Hoskins and others proposed, most early medieval arrangements, and perhaps also ideologies and identities, developed from and were to varying degrees inherited from later prehistoric and Romano-British ones. The enhanced awareness of the scale, stability and complexity of early medieval Cornish society thus has implications for our appreciation of later prehistory.

Outlines the value of post-medieval and modern archaeology before introducing the short papers that make up this article. The section is selective, drawing attention to areas where archaeological work has made the greatest impact on understanding recent Cornwall. All of the papers emphasise how its affairs (industrial, agricultural, commercial, administrative, military, social) were increasingly influenced by regional, national and international trends and pressures, politics, economies and ideologies. Most also show how the trend established in the later medieval period towards individualism at the expense of the communal had also continued. It seems, though, that it was not until the mid-19th century that an essentially medieval mentality was largely diminished. The nonconformist church played a crucial role in inculcating a modern world view among those working within an already mature and heavily capitalised industrial economy and society. The selections are intended to encourage deepenings, critiques and the making of connections, and the study of other more neglected aspects of the world.