HE Report No.24
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Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Report Series No 24 THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR EXMOOR 2017-21 Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Report Series No 24 THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR EXMOOR 2017-21 Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Report Series This report series includes interim reports, policy documents and other information relating to the historic environment of Exmoor National Park. Further hard copies of this report can be obtained from the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record: Exmoor House, Dulverton, Somerset. TA22 9HL email [email protected], 01398 322273 ©Exmoor National Park Authority Contents Page List of Abbreviations SUMMARY . .1 THIS DOCUMENT . .1 Exmoor National Park Statutory Purposes . .1 Exmoor National Park Partnership Plan 2012-2017 . .2 PART 1: PROGRESS IN DELIVERING THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK 2010-2015 . .3 Is the Vision set out in the Historic Environment Research Framework 2010-2015 being achieved? . .4 Progress in advancing The Historic Environment Research Framework 2010-2015 priority by priority . .5 Review of the Key Methods and Techniques 2010-2015 . .22 Progress against Specific Actions and Areas for Development 2010-2015 . .24 Research Projects which contributed to delivering the Research Framework 2010-2016 . .25 PART 2: THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR EXMOOR 2017-21 . .29 VISION . .30 What is the historic environment? . .31 Why is Exmoor’s historic environment special? . .31 The Purpose of Research . .31 Regional frameworks and strategies . .32 Research Priorities for Exmoor 2017-2021 . .33 Key Methods and Techniques . .42 Specific Actions and Areas for Development . .44 List of Abbreviations EMLPS Exmoor Moorland Landscape Partnership Scheme EMP Exmoor Mires Project EWSBRG Exmoor and West Somerset Buildings Research Group (from Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society) HER Historic Environment Record HLF Heritage Lottery Fund LLG Longstone Landscapes Group NP National Park THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR EXMOOR 2017-21 THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR EXMOOR 2017-21 SUMMARY This document builds on the past Historic Environment Research Frameworks of 2004-9 and 2010-15. It also incorporates elements of Exmoor’s Moorlands Historic Environment Research Priorities 2011-2015 and The Royal Forest of Exmoor: Research Framework (2012) whose priorities it aims to embrace. The report is presented in two parts: firstly, a summary of the progress made in achieving the objectives of the Framework in 2010-2015 including the year 2016 (PART I), and secondly, the research priorities for Exmoor’s historic environment over the next five years, 2017-2021 (PART II). THIS DOCUMENT The starting point of this document (PART I) is a review of progress made against the Historic Environment Research Framework 2010-2015 including progress in 2016; the vision, priorities and objectives. It is not an exhaustive, detailed account of all research, but a broad overview of the most significant progress. The Research Framework for 2017-2021 (PART II) has been produced by the Historic Environment Service at Exmoor National Park Authority informed by a workshop held in Dulverton in February 2015 involving a range of stakeholders: local individuals, groups and bodies as well as local, regional and national agencies and local authorities. The Historic Environment Advisory Group have since reviewed and commented on a draft of this report. The Framework is intended to guide and assist in the prioritising of research into the historic environment for, i) the benefit of the community of Exmoor, ii) those who have a role in the management and curation of the resource iii) anyone who is interested in Exmoor and its past. EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK STATUTORY PURPOSES The Research Framework is guided by the statutory purposes for which Exmoor is designated as a National Park: l To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area l To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public. Page 1 EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK It has been delivered in part through objectives and targets in the Exmoor National Park Partnership Plan 2012-2017. EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK PARTNERSHIP PLAN 2012-2017 This is the key document that set out in detail how Exmoor National Park Authority and its partners work together to support National Park purposes over these five years. The overarching objective for the historic environment is contained in Priority A4: Engage people in understanding, protecting and managing Exmoor’s cultural heritage and historic environment. Three strategic activities are identified: l Engage the owners and managers of heritage assets in their conservation and protection l Encourage participation and community engagement in learning about and conserving Exmoor’s historic environment and cultural heritage l Increase knowledge and understanding of Exmoor’s historic environment Under this latter strategic activity are two action points: A4.11 Implement the Historic Environment Research Framework 2010-15. A4.12 Monitor change and trends in the historic environment to inform the development of future policy. A new plan for Exmoor National Park to cover the years from 2018 -2022 is in preparation and will be informed by this Research Framework. The Framework will be formally revisited and updated every five years. It is available in hard copy or via the National Park Authority’s website: www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/ For further information please contact: Shirley Blaylock (Conservation Officer, Historic Environment) [email protected] FRONT COVER A view over Bury Castle, Selworthy and the Vale of Porlock (Damian Grady) © Historic England Archive 33015_021 Page 2 THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR EXMOOR 2017-21 PART 1 PROGRESS IN DELIVERING THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK 2010-15 Page 3 EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK IS THE VISION SET OUT IN THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK 2010-15 BEING ACHIEVED? The following table summarises the vision for the Research Framework and shows whether that vision is being achieved, and if not, why not. VISION EVIDENCE (Examples) A series of multi-disciplinary Exmoor Mires Project, Achieving research projects, drawing on Exmoor Moorland Landscapes and helping to develop up-to- Partnership, date methodologies. Somerset Victoria County History Research carried out by a National organisations Achieving broad spectrum of individuals, Universities groups, societies and Societies organisations. Individuals The results of research pooled Good number of publications but Partly and disseminated some projects remain unpublished achieving in a timely fashion. (e.g. Exmoor Iron, Ley Hill, Timberscombe) A continuing, rigorous e.g work on prehistoric landscapes Achieving re-appraisal of our knowledge. by EMLPS, EMP, LLG; reassessing understanding of buildings by EWSBRG, academic research Research projects which Dig Dulverton 2011 Achieving involve the local community Dig Village, Dunster 2012- wherever possible, providing a Dig Porlock 2013 range of learning opportunities Dig Porlock Village 2014 for all. Exmoor and West Somerset Historic Buildings Research Group 2013- Longstone Landscapes 2014- Timberscombe 2010 These results underpinning Work feeding into HER to inform Partly high quality sustainable management but need more achieving management of the historic applied management research. environment. Page 4 THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK FOR EXMOOR 2017-21 VISION EVIDENCE (Examples) Interpretation that flows from Field Guides Achieving and closely reflects the results Publications of this up-to-date, high quality Website essays research. An Historic Environment ‘Exmoor’s Past’ HER website is a Partly Record for Exmoor National huge advance & considerable work achieving Park which underpins and being is undertaken but continued pools the research of development & enhancement individuals and organisations, following the results of the 2013-14 by being up-to-date and HER audit is required accessible to all. PROGRESS IN ADVANCING THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FRAMEWORK 2010-15 PRIORITY BY PRIORITY In the following table, each 2010-2015 research priority is highlighted in a shaded box followed by known developments or actions towards advancing the priority and a summary derived from the group discussions in the Research Framework workshop held in February 2015. Progress in 2016 has subsequently been included. Note: the numbering of priorities in the published Historic Environment Research Framework for Exmoor 2010-2015 included a run of duplicated numbers, this has been amended below. Therefore, the numbering here does not match the previously published list, although the order and text of each priority remains the same. Page 5 EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK 1. Chronology To improve the chronological framework for archaeological sites and buildings by increasing the number of sites, structures and places dated by reliable archaeological methods, and to make that objective explicit in project designs. SWARF research aim 16 (p281) Action Notes Tephrochronological EMP: Tephrochronological contribution is Analysis significant: 3 palaeo sequences have been analysed and all contain tephra. The third on Buscombe contains 9 layers. Work in progress. C14 dating EMP has used C14 dating to date 3 palaeo sequences and archaeological material from the Mesolithic at Wintershead