Woodland Archaeology

Understanding our ancient woodlands and other wooded landscapes has increased dramatically over the last ten or twenty years. However, it is still difficult for those wishing to gain more knowledge and insight into the features found in and around woods. The problems and skills lie in the discovery of  the discreate interactions and relationships between landscape, archaeology and ecology. There is little published material for the enthusiast and almost no guidance for the assessment of important features and the future evaluation of priorities for site managers.

There is a general need for training or guidance to be available to help in the assessment and understanding of woodlands in an holistic way. This will be one of the main concerns in any developement of community involvement in community participation in woodland management. As the Woodland Trust has pointed out 

"For effective management it is important that trained archaeologists and others are able to identify field features. This includes the use and interpretation of indicator plants and significant trees to inform evaluations. Similarly, ecologists and foresters undertake field work and management guidance often with only limited access to archaeological expertise and little firsthand knowledge. At the same time, the work of volunteers and community groups has become more and more important in the management and conservation of woodlands and wooded landscapes. Much of this work involves practical conservation management and some may involve ecological or archaeological survey work"

Our aims are to:

• Put woodlands in their landscape setting.
• Identify working and veteran trees in woodland, parkland and former woodland sites; building on the work of the ‘Ancient Tree Hunt Project’.
• Look at botanical and other species indicators and typologies.
• Provide information on ecological and archaeological survey methods and the interpretation of results.
• Bring understanding of archaeological features in broadest sense – boundaries and landscape as well as structures and artefacts.

This will be done through public knowledge transfer and social networking with practical opportunities to join walks and activities.

www.sherwoodforest.info

King's Wood Sherwood Forest