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This year saw the number of EH-Archaeology monographs published since 1985 rise to a total of 40. The sale of these volumes contributed to an overall rise in Branch income of 130% over the previous year. The six new monographs published this year are representative of the wide range of archaeological activities in which EH participates. They include the results of older excavations and more recent work, as well as forward-looking publications which aim to fuel academic debate and inform all those involved in the development of future archaeological strategies.
Among the more recent work published is Raunds Furnells, Northants: the Anglo-Saxon church, by Andy Boddington (EH Archaeol Rep 7). This is the first of a series of volumes planned to publish the results of an extensive study of landscape development in the Raunds area. The excavation results provide a unique view of a developing community reflected in the study of the church and churchyard from Anglo-Saxon times onwards. On a related ecclesiastical theme, but publishing the results of an early post-war excavation, is the first of five volumes based on the work of the late Prof W F Grimes for the Roman and Mediaeval Excavation Committee, prepared by consultants based at the Museum of London: St Brides Church, London, archaeological research 1952-60 and 1992-5, by Gustav Milne (EH Archaeol Rep 11). This documents the development of St Brides Church, Fleet Street, from the evidence for Roman occupation of the site to the building of the Wren Church still in use today. It includes a recent survey by staff and students of University College London of the remains of earlier churches incorporated in the Wren church built after the 1666 Great Fire.
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Mawgan Porth: a late Saxon settlement on the north Cornish coast, excavations 1949-54 and 1972, by the late Rupert Bruce Mitford (EH Archaeol Rep 13) is another long-awaited publication which provides important evidence for the Dark Ages in Cornwall, and a-fitting tribute to the memory of its excavator. A more forward-looking publication: England's Coastal Heritage: A survey for EH and the RCHME (by M Fulford, T Champion and A Long eds, EH Archaeol Rep 15), reviews the available evidence and aims to contribute to a debate on appropriate strategies for the recognition, recording, and preservation of this most vulnerable and perhaps currently least generally recognised part of our national heritage. The report on excavations-within the Guardianship area on the baths basilica site of Wroxeter Roman City: Baths basilica, Wroxeter, excavations 1966-90 by Philip Barker, Roger White, Kate Pretty, Heather Bird, and Mike Corbishley, (EH Archaeol Rep 8) documents a research project carried out over 20 years, providing important evidence for the late and post-Roman development of this area. 177 A3 plans supplied in a loose leaf format provide an innovative opportunity to examine in considerable detail the evidence for the sometimes extremely ephemeral structures recovered by Philip Barker's pioneering and painstaking excavation techniques. More unique evidence for developments in late and sub-Roman Britain, as well as further evidence to aid the development of study of the Hadrian's Wall area generally is provided in the report on the recent CAS excavations at Birdoswald in Cumbria, sponsored by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd and Cumbria County Council: Birdoswald, excavations of a Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall and its successor settlements 1987-92, by Tony Wilmott, Louise Hird, Karen Izzard, and Jan Summerfield (EH Archaeol Rep 14), which was prepared for publication with exemplary speed. These two Roman reports, from quite different types of site, provide new and complementary evidence of a complex and difficult to understand period of our history.
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Editorial and production work in progress on reports which will be published in 1997-98 and beyond includes that on Boxgrove, Etton, two volumes on the military and civilian development of Wroxeter, the report on Prof Grimes' excavation of the Walbrook Mithraeum, a report on Leslie Alcock's excavations at South Cadbury, Fulham Pottery, a survey of the development of Chester's uniquely surviving timber-framed Rows, and Dangerous Energy a joint RCHME/EH collaboration, which surveys the history, technological development, and surviving structural evidence for the (mainly Defence Establishment controlled) production of gunpowder from 1500 to the present day. In addition, production and other advice and assistance has been provided for reports seeking alternative publication outlets because of the funding shortfall reported last year. These include Glyn Coppack's excavations at Thornholme Priory now to be published by the University of Nottingham, Peter Ellis' report on various excavations at Ludgershall Castle, to be published by Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine, Martin Biddle's volume of finds from Nonsuch, and Excavations on the A66, Stainmore Pass, where negotiation is still in progress.
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Other publications produced include: Archaeology and planning in London, Frameworks for our past, a review of research frameworks, strategies, and perceptions, by Adrian Olivier; Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site Management Plan, The Monuments Protection Programme, 1989-96 in retrospect; Scheduled Monuments: an EH guide for owners and occupiers; Sustaining the historic environment: new perspectives on the future; and Waterlogged wood, guidelines on the recording, sampling, conservation, and curation of waterlogged wood. The Management of Archaeological Projects (MAP 2) first published in 1991, was reprinted for the third time making a total print production of 7,500.
Volumes produced this year in the English/Heritage Batsford series include Life in Roman Britain by Joan Alcock, Industrial England by Michael Stratton, The Peak District by John Barnatt, and Dartmoor by Sandy Gerard. Other co-publications include The Book of British Battles by Ken and Denise Guest, published with Harper Collins and for children, I-Spy books on Stonehenge and Hadrian's Wall, 1066 The Crown the comet and the Conqueror, and Life in a medieval abbey.