Church Archaeology 11

A variety of sedimentary ‘marbles' were used for carved effigies in the period up to the early 14th century and for other types of monument up to the Reformation and beyond. Tournai marble was an early high-status import. Purbeck marble from Dorset is the best known of our indigenous polishable limestones, but, there were also other stone types used in particular parts of the country. Frosterley marble has generally been regarded as being of equivalent importance in the north-east to Purbeck Marble, yet its employment was not extensive. Instead, the hitherto little-known Egglestone marble deserves that accolade.

Investigations within and around the 11th-century tower have produced evidence for a previously unknown earlier structure. Although undated, associated sculpture and radiocarbon determinations suggest that it existed by the 8th/9th century. Later medieval remains include a remarkable concentration of grave covers, and fragments of alabaster altar pieces.

Tree-ring dating has, over the past couple of decades, become an established methodology in determining dates for phases of construction in buildings and of individual artefacts in this country. Whilst its use goes back much further, the recent increase in activity is thanks largely to the efforts of organisations such as English Heritage, who have funded much of the work undertaken, particularly on ecclesiastical sites, usually as a part of grant funding for individual projects. It has also come about from a wider knowledge of the technique and its application through television and other media coverage, encouraging people in ivider study of their heritage.

Information-gathering processes for the tasks of closing redundant parish churches and finding suitable new uses were devised by the former Advisory Board for Redundant Churches (ABRC) and commended to its successor body, the Statutory Advisory Committee of the Church of England’s Church Buildings Council (SAC) in 2008. They comprise two working documents, a Critical Information Summary which underpins an Informed Change Assessment, based upon an underlying set of Criteria for determining heritage value and the scope for change. These help tackle often difficult and sensitive issues by providing systematic expert advice that meets 21st century requirements for administrative transparency and accountability