Leadon Valley ALSF NMP
Gloucestershire has a range of geological resources used as aggregates, and the sand and gravel deposits of the Leadon Valley (a tributary of the River Severn to the north west of Gloucester) form a significant proportion of this resource. The Leadon Valley has the lowest density of archaeological records for any of the ‘Sand and Gravel’ sub-units identified as possible extraction areas in the Aggregates Landscape of Gloucestershire report (EH ALSF project no. 3346). The Later Prehistoric, Early Medieval and Modern periods are particularly poorly understood and the sub-unit scores below average record densities in all but the Medieval period. The Valley has not been extensively covered by photographic survey but aerial photographs held by the SMR illustrate the potential for cropmark formation.
It is within this context that the Leadon Valley Sand and Gravel Aggregates Area NMP project was undertaken as part of English Heritage's National Mapping Programme (NMP). The main aim of this NMP project was to improve the amount and quality of archaeological information available for the potential aggregate producing area of the Leadon Valley; allowing more informed advice regarding the archaeological impact of aggregate extraction. The information obtained from the aerial survey will also feed into the Gloucestershire County SMR and the National Monuments Record. This will enable the identification, preservation and improved management of monuments threatened by aggregate extraction, as well as increase and enhance people's understanding of past human activity in the Leadon Valley.
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