Explore our research reports with this map which is an on-going project that allows access to the majority of research reports produced for place-based projects. It covers most types of non-invasive surveys, including scientific analysis, such as tree ring dating and archaeobotany.
Research Reports Roundup November 2022
In the previous issue, we introduced our Research Reports database. Here we present an overview of the recent additions to the series so far in 2022. Open the themed sections on this page to explore the new research reports.
Please note that we also publish some important research findings separately outside of the database: these mainly cover point-in-time Social and Economic Research.
Research reports
Climate change reports
We are researching and promoting how the historic environment can positively contribute to overall global sustainability through adapting and mitigating measures.
Climate Change Adaptation Report.
Authors: Hannah Fluck, Ruth Knight
Report focusing on climate adaptation, prepared by Historic England and the English Heritage Trust working in collaboration.
Read the Climate Change Adaptation Report
Mapping Climate-Related Hazards to Historic Sites
Authors: Joshua Deru, David Dowding, Emily Crowe, Hannah Fluck
Assessing climate risk to heritage sites using GIS systems.
Read Mapping Climate-Related Hazards to Historic Sites
Heritage management reports
Reports on different aspects of heritage management and practice.
Author: WSP
Advising on Historic England's Future Engagement with Intangible Cultural Heritage
We commissioned a report to assess the opportunities and risks involved in incorporating more Intangible Cultural Heritage into our programmes.
Read the report on intangible cultural heritage
Assessing the Impact of Tall Buildings on the Historic Environment
Author: Node
Findings on how the impacts of tall buildings on heritage assets and historic areas are understood and accounted for within the planning process.
Archaeology reports
We publish a range of reports on archaeological excavations, monitoring, survey work and archive practice.
Preserving and dating Glastonbury Lake Village, Somerset
Author: Richard Brunning
Determined the extent of the archaeology left in situ after previous excavations, plus hydrological monitoring and sampling for scientific dating.
Read the report on Glastonbury Lake Village
Sweet Track site (area SWB), Brue Valley, Somerset
Author: Richard Brunning
Monitoring of measures undertaken to mitigate desiccation of part of a prehistoric timber trackway.
Dunstable Priory, Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire: Report on Geophysical Survey, May 2021
Authors: Neil Linford, Sarah Newsome, Andy Payne
Ground Penetrating Radar survey revealed detail of the Lady Chapel and apsidal end of the church immediately east of the surviving Priory Church.
Read the report on the survey at Dunstable priory
North Walsham, Norfolk: Report on Ground Penetrating Radar Survey, December 2021
Author: Nicola Fairs
Phase Site Investigations Ltd was commissioned to carry out a ground penetrating radar survey at several locations across the town centre.
Read the report on the North Walsham survey
Kirby Hall, Gretton, North Northamptonshire: Report on Geophysical Survey, July 2021
Authors: Neil Linford
A Ground Penetrating Radar survey investigated the floors of a storeroom and the Great Hall after the collapse of a flagstone.
Launceston Castle, Launceston, Cornwall: Report on Geophysical Surveys, January 2022
Authors: Neil Linford, Andy Payne
The aim was to identify remains surviving within this area, in order to improve visitor information and better inform the management of the site.
https://historicengland.org.uk/research/results/reports/56-2022
A Report on the Use of Archaeological Material Archives in Research in England (2010–2020)
Authors: University Archaeology UK
Analysis of the different types of archaeological material archives used in England by PhD researchers and research projects from 2010 to 2020/1.
Read the report on use of Archaeological material Archives
The Afterlife of Private Collections
Author: Adam Daubney
The project sought to develop a strategic understanding of the character and fate of held privately archaeological collections.
Aerial survey reports
These reports cover interpretation and mapping of sites, bringing together information on buried features revealed as cropmarks, soilmarks, parchmarks or features visible on the surface such as earthworks and structures, or features identified through Lidar.
Cheshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping Project: The Chester Environs
Author: Joel Goodchild
Project highlights include the identification of Roman enclosures and extensive medieval field systems covering much of the Cheshire Plain.
Read the Chester Environs report
Beadlam Roman Villa: Assessment of the Landscape Setting. Aerial Investigation and Mapping Project
Authors: David Knight, Andrew J Roberts
The survey transcribed and recorded numerous archaeological features ranging in date from the later prehistoric period to the Second World War.
Read the report on the landscape setting of Beadlam Roman villa
North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone Aerial Investigation
Authors: E Carpenter
Analysis of historic views of demolished or altered buildings, illustrating the redevelopment of sites north and south of the Market Place.
Read the report on North Walsham
Hinton St Mary Parish and Roman Site: Aerial Investigation
Author: E Carpenter
Aerial investigation and mapping of the area to support a British Museum led project that is investigating the site.
Read the report on Hinton St Mary
Northern Cheviot Hills Aerial Investigation and Mapping Project
Author: Joel Goodchild
Aerial photographs and lidar images were used to map archaeological features in the northern Cheviot Hills.
Built heritage reports
Our reports cover investigations into the built historic environment at different levels of detail. Particular focus points of this research is to support heritage-led regeneration and to inform heritage at risk cases.
Bunksland, East Anstey, Devon: Historic Building Assessment and Survey
Author: Rebecca Lane
Investigation shows that the farmhouse is a significant survival of a late 14th-century four-bay domestic building.
Whitefriars Gate, 36-37 Much Park Street, Coventry: Historic Building Assessment
Author: Rebecca Lane
Work identified that the original friary gatehouse dates from the late 14th or 15th century, with a significant phase of alteration in the 16th century.
Read the report on Whitefriars Gate
The Historic Bank Buildings of Redruth: Historic Buildings Report
Author: Johanna Roethe
This report sets out the national and local context for these buildings, in terms of the history of the banks they were built for and their architectural design.
Read the report on the Historic Bank Buildings of Redruth
The Guildhall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight: Historic Building Investigation
Author: Johanna Roethe, Susie Barson
This report aims to inform the building’s refurbishment and options for its future use as part of a High Street Heritage Action Zone partnership.
Read the report on the Guildhall, Newport.
Ramsgate, Thanet, Kent: Historic Area Assessment
Author: Geraint Franklin
Historical development of the town and the character and significance of its built heritage. Provides an evidence base for sustainable regeneration.
Read the research report on Ramsgate
Maryport, Allerdale, Cumbria: Historic Area Assessment
Author: Fiona Wooler
This project provides a better understanding of the history, development, character and significance of the historic centre of Maryport.
Martime or marine heritage reports
Research into shipwrecks and other forms of heritage in the marine environment.
The London, Thames Estuary: Tree-ring Analysis of Ship Timbers
Author: Nigel Nayling
Summarises dendrochronological investigation of timbers of a wreck identified as the London, located underwater in the Thames Estuary off Southend.
Archaeological Assessment and Net Removal from the Designated Wreck of the Northumberland on the Goodwin Sands
Author: Pascoe Archaeology
The project led to new archaeological features being identified, as well as an increased understanding of the archaeological remains in general.
Scientific dating reports
Our reports on scientific dating, including dendrochronology and radiocarbon methods, add new insights to understanding the chronology of buildings and sites.
The Shambles, 6 Market Street, North Walsham, Norfolk: Tree-ring Dating of Oak Timbers.
Author: Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers
Tree-ring analysis of timbers from two roofs, a first-floor ceiling, and an ex-situ cellar joist, resulting in the successful dating of 29 samples.
Read the report on The Shambles
The London, Thames Estuary: Tree-ring Analysis of Ship Timbers
Author: Nigel Nayling
Summarises dendrochronological investigation of timbers of a wreck identified as the London, located underwater in the Thames Estuary off Southend.
158 Watling Street East, Towcester, Northamptonshire: Tree-ring Dating of Oak Timbers
Authors: Dr Martin Bridge, Cathy Tyers
Timbers from the roofs and floors of the L-shaped building on the front of this property were sampled. Results were later than the expected date.
Read the report on 158 Watling Street East, Towcaster
Bourn Mill, Caxton End, Bourn, Cambridgeshire: Ring-Width Dendrochronology, Radiocarbon Wiggle-Matching, and Oxygen Isotope Analysis of Elm and Oak Timbers
Authors: Dr Martin Bridge, Cathy Tyers, A Bayliss, Silvia Bollhalder, Lukas Wacker, Neil J Loader, Danny McCarroll
Samples were taken from 21 of the various timber elements of the mill. Results included evidence of a previously unknown rebuilding phase.
Deal Castle, Victoria Street, Deal, Kent: Radiocarbon Wiggle-Matching of Oak Timbers
Authors: Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers, Michael Dee, Sanne Palstra, Peter Marshall
Showed that the main ceiling beams of the Central Tower forming the ground-floor ceiling are from about 1530-1555, while its consoles are early 17th century.
Read the report on Deal Castle
Southall Manor House, The Green, Southall, Ealing, London: Radiocarbon Wiggle-Matching of Oak Timbers
Authors: Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers, Silvia Bollhalder, Michael Dee, Sanne Palstra, Lukas Wacker, Peter Marshall
Results showed a significant amount of timber felled in the first half of the seventeenth century, at odds with the expected late-16th century-date.
Read the report on Southall Manor House
Kibworth Harcourt Mill, Langton Road, Kibworth Harcourt, Harborough, Leicestershire: Ring-Width Dendrochronology and Radiocarbon Wiggle-Matching of Additional Timbers
Authors: Dr Martin Bridge, Cathy Tyers, A Bayliss, Silvia Bollhalder, Lukas Wacker
An original set of samples taken in 2004 were re-assessed, and an additional 21 timbers were sampled, along with one measured by digital photography.
Read the report on Kibworth Harcourt Mill
Abbots Staith Buildings, Water Lane, Selby, North Yorkshire: Tree-ring Analysis of Timbers
Authors: Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers
Results suggest building works at the south wing in the last decades of the 16th century. Building works occurred in the central wing a century later.
Read the report on Abbots Staith Buildings
The Maison Dieu Museum, 17 Ospringe Street, Faversham, Kent: Radiocarbon Wiggle-Matching of Oak Timbers
Authors: Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers, Michael Dee, Sanne Palstra, Peter Marshall
Results show all the sampled timbers are late 15th century; whereas the expected dating based on stylistic and documentary grounds was 16th century.
Read the report on the Maison Dieu Museum
Headstone Manor, Pinner View, Harrow, London: Radiocarbon Wiggle-Matching of Oak Timbers
Authors: Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers, Silvia Bollhalder, Lukas Wacker, Peter Marshall
24 of the 99 sampled timbers from the large multi-phase building have now been dated by ring-width dendrochronology and radiocarbon wiggle-matching.
Read the report on Headstone Manor
Trerithick, Polyphant, Altarnun, Cornwall: Radiocarbon Wiggle-Matching of Oak Timbers
Authors: Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, Cathy Tyers, Michael Dee, Sanne Palstra, Peter Marshall
The chronology is from AD 1557 to 1726; the roofs of the extant hall range and west range were replaced in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
Read the report on Trerithick, Polyphant, Altarnun, Cornwall
Church of St John the Baptist, Myndtown, Shropshire: Tree-Ring Analysis of Oak Timbers Incorporating a Survey of the Roofs
Authors: Alison Arnold, Robert Howard, R Meeson, Cathy Tyers
Analysis of samples from timbers representing two phases of roofs within the nave and the chancel, from the bell-cote and from the nave wall.
Read the report on Church of St John the Baptist, Myndtown, Shropshire.
Heritage science reports
In addition to reports on scientific dating, our new additions include other heritage science topics including investigative conservation.
Cleeve Abbey Frater Pavement Cleaning Analyses
Author: Matt Canti
This report details the methods used and results obtained from examination of cleaning residues collected over the period 2008 - 2018.
Read the report on Cleeve Abbey
Blake’s Cottage, West Sussex: A Botanical Report on the Thatch
Author: Ruth Pelling
Prior to renovation of the roof, samples of the thatch were taken from the exposed base layer, enabling characterisation of the historic basecoat.
Read the report on Blakes cottage
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Shropshire: Conservation and Investigation of a Child’s Leather Shoe
Authors: Angela Middleton, Quita Mould, Gill Campbell, Francesca Gherardi
Covers conservation and analytical work, as well as a finds appraisal of a child’s shoe found during refurbishment works; results informed a display.
Wellbeing and heritage reports
Reports on supporting wellbeing through interacting with heritage.
Volunteering in Archives
Author: Laura Elson
Case studies show how Historic England can expand volunteer opportunities through wellbeing-centred, hybrid ways of working in photographic archives.
Reports on increasing engagement with heritage
Reports on projects that aim to increase or deepen engagement with heritage in England's communities.
Listing Audience Reach Project Reports
Author: Kanda Consulting
Reporting on opinions from three communities regarding interaction with the National Heritage List for England.
