An assessment and enhancement of the sites and monuments record as a predictive tool for cultural resource management, development control and academic research

Cuming, Paul Anthony Bernard (1998) An assessment and enhancement of the sites and monuments record as a predictive tool for cultural resource management, development control and academic research. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

This research is an attempt to assess and enhance the Sites and Monuments Record, the main source of archaeological information used by development control staff throughout Britain. With the introduction of PPG16, the SMR has become more important than ever before and it is timely that such research is performed. The analysis concentrates on three study areas - the Hampshire Avon, which forms the pilot study area; East Berkshire and the Raunds area of Northamptonshire which form the two main study areas.

The general method chosen was to compare the SMR data from these study areas with the results of the intensive fieldwalking and field survey studies performed in all three regions. If the survey results are assumed to accurately represent the archaeological record within each area, then for the SMR data to accurately represent the archaeological record, it must accurately and consistently predict the results of the surveys. Therefore, predictive models are derived from the SMR data using a manual method of model formation and logistic regression, and these models are tested for their ability to predict the survey results.

The successes and failures of the models are highlighted and examined. The specific methodology involves the use of GIS techniques in conjunction with statistical analysis. The GIS used to analyze each study area is then used to produce and assess a range of descriptive information concerning the distribution, range and density of archaeological data in the three regions. Subsequent to the main analysis a number of related issues are discussed such as the relationship between local SMR data and archaeological sites and the relationship between SMR data and urban settlement. The conclusions of this research are first examined in terms of the individual study area to assess the ability of each SMR to predict the survey data and review its strengths and weaknesses.

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