An archaeological archive is the product of an archaeological investigation. Archaeological archives consist of two main components: the recovered physical evidence of man's past and the documentary record of the archaeological investigation.
Archaeological excavation is, by its nature, a generally destructive investigation of the physical remains of events from human history. Such remains may be part of a landscape, or a structure or object which is already subject to continuing natural or human destruction.
The archaeological archive therefore represents the unique and primary record of this investigation and, as such, needs to be preserved and accessible in perpetuity. The preservation of such primary evidence is essential in order to allow continued study and re-interpretation of the 'site' as technology, methodology, research aims and archaeological philosophy develop.
English Heritage supports and undertakes research into the development of best practice in the care and creation of archaeological archives.
English Heritage is part of the Archaeological Archives Forum (AAF). Details about the forum's work and current developments in archaeological archives can be on the Council for British Archaeology's Archaeological Archives Forum.
English Heritage and its predecessors have been creating archaeological archives for many years and these are generally held with the local museum. For excavations on our properties we often hold the archaeological archive. For information about our collections, please contact:
Archive Services
The English Heritage Archive
The Engine House
Fire Fly Avenue
Swindon SN2 2EH.
Tel: 01793 414600
Information about excavations in England and their archaeological archives can be found on Pastscape.
