The Ancient Monuments Laboratory, Science and Conservation Services Division

The Ancient Monuments Laboratory,
Science and Conservation Services Division

This was the last year that Science and Conservation Services retained a separate divisional identity, as from 1995-96 it is to be integrated into Archaeology Division (with the exception of Architectural Conservation Branch which will move to the Deputy Director of Conservation Group's division). Much of the work described below highlights how far the Division has come in developing a strong research portfolio and a strategic response to the needs of archaeology, and we look forward to contributing directly to the work of the Archaeology Division in the future.

The reorganisation of our network of environmental and conservation contractors into three regions to reflect the regional organisation of Conservation Group, and the consolidation of many of the functional areas of archaeology into a single management structure, will undoubtedly enhance the coherence of our work. Certainly the major task, now well under way, of producing three regional reviews which will synthesise the findings of environmental archaeology studies in each region will take on a new relevance as the reviews feed directly into the strategy and research directions of the new Division. Conservation activities this year have included the final full year of the audit of English Heritage's own collections, which will provide us with a `snapshot' of their health and enable conservation planning to take place. Another active development has been research into techniques of monitoring in situ site preservation.

Archaeometry: Application of Geophysical prospecting techniques, particularly resistivity and magntometry, to the location and mapping of buried remains. Scientific dating for archaeological projects.
Environmental studies: Study of excavated materials such as human and animal bones, soils and sediments, seeds and pollen, insects and snails.
Technology: Using analytical techniques to investigate the objects and industrial processes of the past
Conservation: Technical Investigation of archaeological, industrial and historic materials.
Wall painting conservation: Providing a conservation and advisory service for English Heritage paintings, royal palaces, government buildings and in support of grant aid. Research work on historic paint.
Architectural paint research: Concerned with all aspects of building conservation, providing best practice guidance to building and architectural professionals at English Heritage.