4.14 The Ancient Monuments Laboratory
The activities described below demonstrate the range and scope of work being undertaken by the scientists and conservators in the Ancient Monuments Laboratory and its specialists in several universities. Projects are reported from across the country from Cornwall to the north of England, and chronologically from the Mesolithic to the twentieth century. While much of what is reported is in support of English Heritage's archaeological programmes, there is an increasing application of archaeological science techniques to the wider work of the laboratory, particularly that of the conservation teams.
Last year the conference Science in archaeology: an agenda for the future was reported in the Archaeology Review. As befits a fast moving discipline, the papers from the conference have been published, together with a review of the proceedings by Martin Jones, Chairman of our Science and Conservation Advisory Panel. In his review Professor Jones identifies the key themes that came through in the papers, focusing particularly on the contribution that science can make to the human aspects of archaeology such as human biology, human ecosystems, human influence on the environment, and the human contexts of production. These papers, and the priorities expressed in them have been fed into our developing archaeological agenda and will help to define our priorities for future research.
During the year there has been an intensive search for a new location for the Ancient Monuments Laboratory. The Laboratory came to Savile Row in 1972 when the practice of science and conservation was quite different; since then there has been an increasing pressure on space, which has been brought to a head by English Heritage's need to reduce its London accommodation. After considering several generous offers from universities, it has been decided that our best interests will be served by amalgamating with the Central Archaeology Service at Fort Cumberland, and during the coming year we will be developing the site to provide a centre of international excellence in archaeology and archaeological science. In order that our work will continue to be of the highest academic standards we are developing a collaborative relationship with the University of Southampton. The Collections and Painting Conservation Teams will remain in London at the Studio in Regents Park.
Archaeometry
Environmental Studies
Technology
Conservation