Selected projects
4.19.31 Challenge funding
These days of big-budget contract archaeology, it is sometimes forgotten how much can be achieved by a single dedicated individual, or by a small group, working on their own initiative with very modest resources. Challenge funding is aimed at just this constituency. Administered by the Council for British Archaeology with funds from English Heritage, it is a scheme that offers small grants to assist independent, local voluntary effort.
The scheme invites groups, societies, and individuals to put forward proposals for innovative projects that will say something about the history of local surroundings, and thus inform their future care. Since its introduction in 1996, Challenge funding has helped 32 projects across Britain. Financial contributions also come from Historic Scotland, the Council for Scottish Archaeology, and the Council for British Archaeology itself, which enables the scheme to run UK-wide.
Grants, normally up to œ500, have assisted projects as diverse as building, field, geophysical and underwater survey, dating, excavation, and environmental research. A number of projects have produced their own leaflets, newsletters, and exhibitions to encourage local community interest and participation.
Some images from Challenge funded projects
Members of the team studying the landscape of Yately Common, Hampshire
In search or Roman roads: resistivity survey in Selly Park and Sutton Park, Birmingham
Much Wenlock, Shropshire: fourteenth- to fifteenth-century timber framing
A survey of Yorkshire dovecotes
Prehistoric barrow at Easington, Yorkshire