Royal Commission Thematic Research Framework Document

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ROYAL COMMISSION THEMATIC RESEARCH FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT

Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

ROYAL COMMISSION THEMATIC RESEARCH FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT

COMMO

Edited by Louise Barker & Toby Driver Version 1.0 March 2015

Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Plas Crug, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 1NJ www.cbhc.gov.uk / www.rcahmw.gov.uk

Cover: Detailed earthwork survey of Castell Grogwynion Iron Age hillfort, Ceredigion (NPRN 303671)

ROYAL COMMISSION THEMATIC RESEARCH FRAMEWORK

‘For our historic environment to survive deliver strategic outcomes for the people and thrive it has to be valued; and to be of Wales. valued it has to be understood’ (Historic This Thematic Research Framework Environment Strategy for Wales, Cadw Document enables the Commission to 2013, 5). This is at the heart of the Royal decide upon priorities and provides Commission’s Thematic Research guidance when evaluating funding Framework. Research supports a virtuous opportunities and partnerships. It circle whereby it improves our knowledge recognises the Commission’s strategic and understanding, enables conservation work areas, its particular strengths and and protection, engages owners and expertise and encourages projects across communities and encourages enjoyment a range of timely and forward-looking and participation in the heritage of Wales. themes. Our work in this area will continue to set national and international

standards for recording and investigation, Introduction archive and data, and will pursue innovative and creative approaches to As the investigation body and national record, interpret and present the historic archive for the historic environment of environment. Wales, the Royal Commission has the lead role in ensuring that Wales’s archaeological, built and maritime heritage is authoritatively recorded, and seeks to promote the understanding and appreciation of this heritage nationally and internationally. The Royal Commission is committed to undertake thematic projects of investigation that are integrated with and complement the aims and remit of the entire sector.

Following the Minister for Culture and Sport’s announcement in January 2014, that the Commission will continue to Bethania Welsh Baptist Chapel, Maesteg, operate as a Welsh Government Bridgend. Laser scan of the chapel interior Sponsored Body, we will work with Cadw undertaken as part of a Knowledge Economy and other partners in the wider historic Skills Scholarship (KESS) PhD partnership environment sector to develop closer undertaken between the Commission and collaboration on agreed priorities and Aberystwyth University and (NPRN 13780).

Recording heritage at risk: Maenofferen slate quarry mill, Ffestiniog (NPRN 416517).

Cross-sector relevance and include the Programme for Government, consultation: A Single Historic Environment Strategy for Wales and Cadw’s Community Archaeology Conversation Framework.

The development of a Thematic Research We recognise that there are a number of Framework for the Royal Commission is different bodies working within the Historic timely as it is designed to complement Environment Sector in Wales. It is essential and share synergies with, but not that we collaborate and seek partnerships duplicate, other Welsh and UK Research with these bodies, whilst being resourceful Frameworks, particularly the Research in pursuit of new funding and Framework for the Archaeology of Wales opportunities. We will not always take a and Cadw’s Pan-Wales Heritage lead role in delivering priorities. Interpretation Plan. These, alongside English Heritage’s National Heritage This framework informs the production of Protection Plan , the Scottish the Royal Commissions annual Thematic Archaeological Research Framework Research Activity Plan. The Activity Plan (SCARF) and Our Place in Time: the will specify – for each thematic project – Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland, aims and objectives, strategic context provide the reference tools and guiding and outputs and outcomes. By publishing principles for the Royal Commission’s own this Thematic Framework Document programmes of thematic research. alongside supporting annual activity plans, the Commission is ensuring clear Royal Commission activities are also communication to bodies working within guided by our Royal Warrant, our and beyond the historic environment of Operational Plan and a number of key Wales. Welsh Government documents which Thematic Research at the Royal  Conservation: Commission: identifying priorities Provide support for the management and conservation of the historic environment Royal Commission activities are defined by our Royal Warrant and through our  Public Engagement: annual Remit Letter. These inform and To promote public participation, direct our Operational Plan. understanding and enjoyment of the historic environment Through our work we: Introducing the Framework  Research, record and interpret archaeology, buildings, landscapes Document and maritime remains from prehistory to the present; This framework document is presented in  Curate Wales’ rich archive of the three parts. The Strategic Work Areas historic environment in the National describe the overarching activities under Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) which our thematic research sits, whilst  Support people to learn about our rich Delivering the Framework summarises the heritage through outreach activities, in-house tool-kit required for thematic online resources and publications; projects to be successfully delivered. The  Provide impartial advice and final part is a list of current Headline information to help people manage Themes (2015-16) which have emerged the historic environment sustainably through consultation as being and ethically, and in line with national strategically and highly significant, and international statute, policy and insufficiently understood and significantly conventions. threatened.

This work is achieved by annual Thematic projects will be devised on the programmes of activity in the following basis of short (1 year), medium (2-5 years) work areas: and long term (5 + years) duration to retain flexibility for responsive work with  Knowledge: rapid outcomes, or more intensive To enhance our knowledge base projects with a greater duration. and understanding of the historic environment A separate annual Activity Plan will outline aims and objectives, strategic context and outputs and outcomes.

(1) Strategic Work Areas

The headings below represent Strategic Work Areas for the Commission. The origins of each Thematic Research Project lie within one or more of these work areas, and are supported by our tool-kit for the investigation of the historic environment (see 2 below)

 Maintaining and enhancing the NMRW as an accessible, permanent national archive for the historic environment of Wales.

 Survey and investigation that develops knowledge and understanding, provides information, supports conservation and promotes public engagement.

 Identification of previously unknown heritage illustrative of the people, landscape and history of Wales.

 Heritage at risk: Prioritising survey and investigation of heritage deemed highly significant and/or at risk and/or insufficiently understood to inform and assist conservation and preserve information for posterity within the NMRW.

 Provision of accessible and authoritative information relating to the historic environment through online resources and publication.

 Innovation and excellence in research, survey, investigation, research, interpretation and dissemination.

 Setting standards, providing leadership and advice to help people manage the historic environment sustainably and ethically.

 Delivering programmes of public engagement that promote participation, understanding and enjoyment of the historic environment.

Still from the award-winning Royal Commission reconstruction animation on the Hafod & Morfa Copperworks, Swansea (NPRN 300184). (2) Delivering the Framework: The tool-kit for investigation, assessment & dissemination

To successfully deliver thematic projects the Royal Commission will maintain and develop a tool-kit of expertise, for the investigation of the historic environment. Continuous innovation, standard-setting, community engagement and partnership working are implicit throughout. Informing and developing the NMRW lies at the heart of this.

Investigation: discovering, recording and interpreting - Aerial reconnaissance and remote sensing - Terrestrial survey (archaeological, built & coastal/maritime) - Geophysics (terrestrial & marine, in partnership) - Excavation (in partnership)

Analysis: developing knowledge and understanding - Documentary research - GIS mapping and modelling - Characterisation (Seascapes, urban and architectural) - LiDAR processing and analysis - Structure from motion - Air photo mapping - Digital documentation & dataset development and enhancement

Scientific Analysis: adding value to investigation, analysis and understanding  Dendrochronology (in partnership)  Palaeoenvironmental analysis (in partnership)  Scientific dating (in partnership)

Dissemination: delivering authoritative outputs and innovative public engagement  Enhancement of NMRW and Historic Environment Records  Cross-sector collaboration and advice  Publication & presentation (traditional and online including social media)  Reconstruction and digital animation  Management and conservation recommendations

(3) Headline Themes 2015-16

The thematic projects listed below are those currently in progress at the Royal Commission. These build upon the strengths of the Commission’s past and present work and the aim is to ensure a balance across type, period, geographical area, expertise of staff and wherever possible, a pan-Wales, interdisciplinary and innovative approach is encouraged. An annual Activity Plan for each project defines the aims and objectives, strategic context and outputs and outcomes. Thematic projects exist in parallel with the day-to-day programmes of work at the Royal Commission.

Archaeology: thematic projects 2015-16 Uplands Archaeology Initiative: Legacy programme Upalnds. Elan Valley Landscape: developing HLF bid (in partnership) Later prehistoric defended settlements Islands (Skomer Island, Grassholm Island) Slate Industry of Wales CHERISH - Islands of the Irish Sea. INTERREG bid Battlefields (RCAHMW and Cadw)

Built Heritage: thematic projects 2015-16 Nonconformist Chapels Churches Denbigh townscape National Dendrochronology Project Community Archaeology: Unloved Heritage, HLF bid (Cadw, RCAHMW and WATs) Farmsteads Pilot (Cadw, RCAHMW and WATs)

Maritime: thematic projects 2015-16 What Lies Beneath – WW1 U-Boat heritage of Wales HLF bid Maritime Heritage of Wales (publication)

Cross-cutting projects: thematic projects 2015-16 Climate Change and the historic environment (HEG)

St Nicolas Church, Grosmont. The Royal Commission’s national dendrochronology project produced a felling date range of 1214-44 for the nave roof (pictured) making it the oldest securely dated roof in Wales. This view shows the high quality photographic recording that the Royal Commission achieves for the interiors of historic buildings (NPRN 221965).