4.14 Ancient Monuments Laboratory

4.14.1 Archaeometry.

4.14.1a Geophysics.
4.14.1b Dendrochronology
4.14.1c Radiocarbon dating.

4.14.2 Environmental Studies.
4.14.3 Technology.
4.14.4 Archaeological conservation.
4.14.5 Collections conservation.
4.14.6 Wall Painting conservation.
4.14.7 Architectural paint research.

Many of the archaeological projects undertaken by the Ancient Monuments Laboratory relate very largely to commissioned archaeological projects, and our support of the regional Inspectors of Ancient Monuments in the evaluation of sites. A significant proportion of the work is done for Historic Properties and a growing volume is also for Major Projects department. Work is undertaken by scientists and conservators in the laboratory and by our network of specialist contractors based mainly in universities. A significant proportion of our work is directed at the evaluation of new methods, the application of new techniques, or the investigation of archaeological materials to recover new evidence, and one area of ongoing research has been the investigation of the preservation of archaeological evidence, both in unexcavated and in exposed archaeological sites. In February 1997 the Ancient Monuments Laboratory hosted a conference entitled Science in Archaeology: an agenda for the future which was designed to examine the contribution of the archaeological sciences to archaeology. The twenty-two papers were arranged in four period-based sessions, and although all included an element of review, they were aimed principally at identifying worthwhile directions for future investigations. The varied contributions demonstrated the wide range of scientific disciplines that contribute to archaeological projects and emphasised the benefits of improved collaboration and integration. The format of the conference encouraged strategic overviews which are contributing to EH's current review of its archaeological research agenda.