Warwickshire ALSF NMP

The Warwickshire ALSF NMP (4681) project surveyed a number of sample areas identified as under potential threat from aggregate extraction. The project was funded by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF).  Both historical and recent aerial photographs were used to record a wide range of archaeological sites. Many had already been levelled through ploughing and were only visible as cropmarks, and some sites have been destroyed since the date of photography.

Archaeology under threat

The site of a later Bronze Age – Iron Age settlement photographed on 26-JUL-2001 visible as a complex of ditched enclosures at Church Lawford exposed during excavation of the site in 2001 prior to quarrying. The adjacent area to the left has already been quarried away, and the area to the right is in the process of having the turf and soil layers removed (NMR 21271/09).
© Crown copyright. NMR

Prehistoric Landscapes

Aerial photographs have revealed several areas where the cropmarks of landscapes of fields and settlements could be traced for several kilometres. The prehistoric settlement complex exposed by quarrying at Church Lawford lies at the heart of such an area, much of which has been, or is under threat from destruction. The mapping shows the land was divided up by regular linear boundaries of ditches or pit alignments, one boundary extending over 2km. The southern part of this complex is visible amongst the remains of a WWII airfield runway and buildings. The runway has long-since been removed and partially quarried away.

Extract of NMP mapping around Lawford Lodge depicting the cropmark remains of a probable later prehistoric landscape of boundaries and settlements. This map is reproduced from the OS map by English Heritage with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number 100019088. 2006.

17th century Designed Landscapes

NMP mapping around the site of the former Middleton Hall revealed cropmarks of formal parkland features. These included a circular ditched enclosure with six radiating arms thought to be avenues or carriageways, probably dating from the middle of the 17th century. More elaborate patte d'oie or goose-foot schemes can be seen in Knyff and Kips illustrations of grand houses in Britannia Illustrata. Close by to the north-east the cropmarks of earlier, possibly prehistoric enclosures or ditches, were recorded.

An extract of NMP mapping showing the site of the former Middleton Hall with cropmarks of formal parkland and earlier features. This map is reproduced from the OS map by English Heritage with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number 100019088. 2006.
© copyright English Heritage/Warwickshire County Council

The images used on this page are copyright English Heritage unless specified otherwise. For further details of any photographs or other images and for copies of these, or the plans and reports related to the project please contact the English Heritage Archive.

For further information on a project or any other aspect of the work of the Aerial Survey team please contact us by email via the link above.