Landscape Survey

Landscape Survey is a research tool for understanding the historic landscape, through a range of allied non-invasive analytical techniques, which can be applied at different scales and resolution. It underpins conversation,protection and interpretation. An important component is analytical survey – the observation, recording, and, the analysis of visible archaeological and historic features in the landscape. It can help to target and contextualise future research.

The practise of landscape survey combines field survey and desk-based research and brings together a wide range of evidence to increase the understanding of a range of archaeological sites and landscapes. Field evidence recorded can include archaeological earthworks, historic buildings and ruined structures. Fieldwork is supported by the use of historic maps, aerial photographs, lidar, historical documents and oral testimony. Surveys also combine the human element with the geological and ecological landscape to build narratives of landscape change, both natural and anthropological. Landscape survey and research has a broad chronological scope and can be applied to small sites or large landscapes, with both scales requiring the same level of careful observation and analysis of the evidence.