North East RCZAS NMP

The North East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (RCZAS) followed on from the previous Yorkshire Coast and Humber Estuary survey and like that included an air photo interpretation element as part of the National Mapping Programme (NMP). This mapping project covered the inter-tidal zone and a minimum 1km-wide strip of coastline between Whitby in North Yorkshire and Berwick-upon-Tweed on the Scottish border. The primary aim of this RCZAS was to enhance the record of the coastal archaeology of north-eastern England, and identify sites at short-term and medium-term risk in the coastal hinterland. The NMP element of the project was undertaken by contractors and staff from Archaeological Research Services Ltd. NMP mapping was completed in the summer of 2008 and a report has been produced that has fed into the broader project.

Adding over 1000 new records for the survey area, the project increased the number of known sites by 61%. Of these the vast majority, nearly 75%, were military or wartime related with large numbers consisting of sites that were partially hidden i.e. camouflaged gun batteries etc. Other, non-military features were represented by sites such as this wreck on Bran Sands at the mouth of the Tees.

 

The second element of the project related to the identification of sites at risk. Although the north-east coast is generally more stable than that further south in East Yorkshire, erosion is still a threat in some areas. Here at Kettleness, north of Whitby, a few of the remains of the alum works are precariously close to the cliff edge.

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 NMR English Heritage's public archive.

For further information on a project or any other aspect of the work of the Aerial Survey team please contact us at: AerialSurvey@english-heritage.org.uk.