Old bones and new buildings

4 December 2003

Researchers at the University of Durham are helping to preserve major historical sites.

Led by Professor Robert Allison under NERC's Urban Regeneration and the Environment (URGENT) Programme, the scientists have developed a novel method of monitoring and testing archaeological sites uncovered by developers. Their research has involved a wide range of sites in central London.

St Mary Spital is one of the most important archaeological finds of our time. Archaeologists uncovered pits containing thousands of skeletons which are believed to have been the remains of people struck down by epidemics. They believe that these people, and probably thousands more who survived, were treated in this early hospital.

The research carried out by the scientists used remains from St. Mary Spital. The laboratory and field studies from this and other sites were of fundamental importance to the research.

Says Professor Allison, "We carried out an analysis of the soils and sediments on many sites in London and of different types of remains and development processes. This research is a prime example of how we can help to preserve our nation's heritage in a cost-effective way."

St. Mary Spital was just one of a number of sites in London where this type of research has been carried out. On this site a sample of human bone was extracted for analysis, following an archaeological excavation which revealed the find. From other sites different types of artefacts, including wood and glass, have been removed and taken to the laboratory for analysis.

Other tests carried out at the sites involved monitoring ground-vibration patterns on a range of different development techniques.

Professor Allison's research team were able to provide advice on the best techniques to preserve the artefacts while still enabling the site to be developed into an office complex. Their knowledge and expertise means that planners, developers and construction engineers may find that dealing with archaeological remains is much easier in future.

The locations selected for research were chosen, in part, because of the way in which the developers managed the site and their sympathetic treatment of archaeological issues. The results coming from the research carried out by scientists on these sites will, in turn, support the developers in ensuring the continuation of their own goals for high-quality development.

As a direct result of the work they carried out on the sites in London, the scientists are now getting the chance to further test their research. They have been awarded a commercial contract to analyse a site off the A1 at Garforth, near Leeds in Yorkshire. Iron-age and Roman artefacts have been uncovered in the groundworks for a new road. Professor Allison and his team have been brought in to advise the best method of preserving the find. If they are successful in their analysis the scientists will preserve the heritage of the site, while the developer will still be able to build his road.

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215

Notes

1. The results of this and other exciting research will be showcased at the URGENT Programme finale on Thursday 4 December at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Parliament Square, London. There will be a press conference at 9.30am to present Professor Allison's research.

2. Robert Allison and his colleagues at Durham have worked with archaeologists and experts from many other organisations, including co-investigator on this project, Dr Jane Sidell from University College London, and Chris Thomas at the Museum of London.

Professor John Thornes will also be available at the press conference to present his research and the development of 'Ice Miser' using novel surveying techniques and state of the art GIS computer software to revolutionise the decision making process as to whether or not to salt roads on a given night. His methods of prediction are already saving lives on Britain's roads and helping cash-strapped local authorities to salt roads effectively while saving money.

3. The URGENT Programme, funded by NERC and supported by partners from industry across the UK, started in 1997. Its aim was to find widely-effective ways to regenerate the UK's urban environment by cleaning up the legacy of our industrial past and encouraging sustainable development of our cities.

4. The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is one of the UK's research councils. It uses a budget of about £270m a year to fund and carry out impartial scientific research in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the next generation of independent environmental scientists. It is addressing some of the key questions facing mankind such as global warming, renewable energy and sustainable economic development.

Old bones and new buildings

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