sometimes of staggering proportions, in the form of terraces, mounts and walks. Sometimes these were modified and incorporated into later designs, sometimes they survive almost intact as abandoned sites in the countryside. In understanding and assessing earthworks and other above-ground features it is not excavation but the skill and expertise of the field archaeologist which are required, togetherwith what might be described as an awareness of the ‘archaeology of trees’.

Here the pioneering work of Christopher Taylor, continued by the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments of England, has been crucial in recognising and raising awareness of earthworks as abandoned gardens of the medieval and later periods.

Many, though not all, of these gardens are in the areas around Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire with perhaps the 16th century garden earthworks created by Sir Christopher Hatton at Holdenby being the best preserved of all.

One of the most important consequences of the work undertaken by Taylor and RCHME has been recognition of earthworks previously described as defensive features, moats or fishponds, as garden earthworks. One of the loveliest and most dramatic examples of these must be Taylor’s recognition of the earth and waterworks surrounding Bodiam Castle in East Sussex as a designed and not a defensive landscape. This reinterpretation can be duplicated, though on a much less dramatic scale, throughout the country. For example, the medieval motte marked to the west of the A1(M) opposite Cusworth Park near Doncaster is, in fact, a prospect mount. Providing a viewing platform over the neighbouring estate, the mount, for which detailed design documentation exists, is not medieval but a feature of the newly created mid- 18th century landscape park designed by Richard Woods.

Of course, much of this is related to abandoned gardens or to static features, but parks and gardens also contain dynamic, organic fabric in the form of plants and, particularly in parks, of trees. The designed or ornamental parks of the 18th century may well have incorporated already ancient trees for an instant aesthetic sense of maturity and set up a resonance of permanence and social stability to be associated with the owner and his family.Many of these trees may stifi survive, bearing the signs of a past, pre-ornamental,

management regime such as pollarding or coppicing. Cropping the tree would cease on its incorporation in an ornamental landscape but it continues to bear the marks of its former use and so of a former economic environment and landscape. This is what may be called the ‘archaeology’ of trees. Understanding the way in which trees were managed in the past and being able to recognise and plot the changes and phases of different management techniques is just as important in understanding the chronology ofa park or landscape as is understanding the below ground archaeology. It is a part of being able to plan sensitively for the conservation and management of parks and historic landscapes in the future.

Finally, this brings us to the reason for considering an archaeological investigation of a site. ‘Garden archaeology’ in its widest sense, has a use and application beyond that of generating evidence for restoration projects.

The techniques of archaeology, of what Christopher Taylor has described as “the scientific study of the past by the examination of the material remains left behind by previous generations” could often make a valuable contribution when incorporated as part of the research undertaken in the preparation of a management plan for an historic park or garden. Yet any form of archaeological investigation can be expensive and the mere mention of it is often daunting. As yet there are no clear management guidelines to aid the client or the landscape architect when negotiating a brief or specification as the framework within which the archaeologist should work. However, this situation may soon change.

The management of archaeology in historic parks and gardens was one of

the core subjects of an English Heritage! ICOMOS UK sponsored three-day conference ‘Techniques and Uses of Garden Archaeology’ at Strawbeny Hill in June 1995. As a result of this conference, ICOMOS UK has now begun formulating guidelines for garden archaeology which may also be considered by English Heritage before preparing its own guidelines.

Running parallel with this is the creation of a database by the Gardens and Landscape Team at English Heritage which will hold a range of information on sites where archaeological investigation has taken place, on techniques and uses and on assessments and field studies. This database is designed to be easily accessible and to overcome the problem of so much commissioned research becoming buried in management plans some of which have a circulation limited to the owner of the site. The aim of this is to improve communication and awareness between professionals engaged in the conservation or management of the uses of garden archaeology and, indeed, to raise awareness of some of the findings. This database, together with the technical advances being made by English Heritage and the management guidelines being prepared by ICOMOS UK will help ensure both the development of ‘garden archaeology’ and a wider understanding of its potential within the garden conservation process.

FURTHER INFORMATION ‘The Archaeology of Gardens’, Christopher Taylor. Shire Publications.

1988

‘Council for British Archaeology, Research Report 78, Garden

Archaeology’ ed A. E. Brown. 1991.

English Heritage Conservation Bulletin, March 1996, Lorna McRobie, Director, Gardens and Landscape, English Heritage.

‘Garden Archaeology at Kirby Hall and Hampton Court’ in Current Archaeology No 140 pp. 292-299, Brian Dix, Northamptonshire Archaeology, 2 Bolton House, Wooton Hall Park, Northampton NN4 8BE

The proceedings of the Strawberry Hill Conference will be published as Parts 1 and 2 of the Journal of Garden History in 1997.

‘There by Design’: Field Archaeology in Parks and Gardens is a conference jointly organised by the Royal Commission on

The Historical Monuments of England and the Garden History Society. To be held on 29th November 1996 at The

Scientific Societies Lecture Theatre, New Burlington Place, London. Further

information from RCHME, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2GZ.

“Garden archaeology’, in its widest sense,

has a use and

application beyond that of generating

evidence for restoration projects”

34

CONTEXT 51