Archaeology in Churches and Churchyards
England's historic parish churches have been used for Christian worship for up to 1,400 years. This continuity of use has protected and preserved them, so that the parish church is almost always the oldest building in a village or town, and together with its churchyard often forms an island of ancient remains within a constantly changing environment. Churches are, of course, much more than islands of history - they serve as a centre for local worship and mission, an icon of community memory and a focus for social activity.
Why is archaeology necessary?
Churches and churchyards are rich in resources for understanding the past and have huge research potential, not only for the archaeologist, but for everybody interested in local and national history. Church buildings are by no means frozen in time but have evolved over the life of the parish which makes them all the more important and fascinating. Changes to the fabric of the church building are not always easy to identify and archaeological work can help us to understand how and why a church has developed over time.
The more completely we understand the history and archaeology of a church, its churchyard and the surrounding environment, the greater our appreciation becomes of why a particular place is unique. On a more everyday level, understanding the history of a church also helps a parish to recognise when proposed works of maintenance or development may have archaeological implications, and thus reduce delay, cost and damage to this inheritance. Understanding the building will also help towards responsible and cost-effective management, avoiding damaging and potentially expensive mistakes.
Therefore, when repairs or alterations are under consideration the archaeological implications should always be borne in mind. Petitions for faculties should always include adequate information, including details of any necessary archaeological provision, to enable the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) to give appropriate advice to the Chancellor. Many grants in support of works upon historic churches are conditional upon an adequate level of archaeological recording and analysis being incorporated into the programme of work.
There may be a need to record archaeological information at an early stage of project development in order to aid understanding and inform proposed works upon the standing church building or within the churchyard. If the proposed works are likely to result in features being lost or hidden, a record of those features might be required:
- to mitigate the loss of historic fabric or deposits,
- to facilitate an awareness of hidden details and thereby inform future works, and / or
- to retain historically, architecturally, or archaeologically significant information for educational and other uses in the future.
Works that might carry archaeological implications
Works that might carry archaeological implications include:
- any alterations or repairs (including conservation work) that might disturb the fabric,
- the removal or alteration of fixtures and fittings,
- structural extensions,
- the excavation of drainage, service or foundation trenches in the church or churchyard,
- works upon monuments and boundary walls.
The stages of the process
Early advice
The need for archaeological provision in a proposed scheme of work often becomes apparent at the time when a preliminary enquiry is made; the earlier advice is sought, the greater the chance of avoiding delay and expense. Guidance from that point through each of the stages outlined below is available by first contacting the DAC secretary. It is essential to ensure that each stage of the process is adequately documented by appropriately detailed written reports, which should be copied to the architect, the relevant Archdeacon, and the DAC.
Advice on suitably qualified and competent archaeologists who have worked in the Diocese may be available from the DAC Secretary, alternatively one can find a list of individuals and organisations who can undertake such work in the Yearbook of the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA). A list of organisations accredited by the IFA, the Registered Archaeological Organisations (RAOs), can be found on their web site.
Statements of Significance and Conservation Plans
A new requirement of parishes since the publication of the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2000 is the preparation of a Statement of Significance when significant works are proposed to a listed church. This should include an assessment of the archaeological significance of the church, churchyard and site and identify any threats to these inherent in the proposed works. Guidelines for producing these have been developed by several dioceses and also by the Church Buildings Council (CBC). In the case of major and more complex churches, a Conservation Management Plan may be needed, and the CBC has also developed guidelines for such a plan.
Archaeological Appraisal
The Diocesan Archaeological Adviser (DAA) will be able to judge the likely impact of disturbances to any significant buried deposits or fabric through a process termed an 'appraisal'. The likely impact is dependent upon a number of factors. These include the area and/or depth of the anticipated intervention, its position in the church and churchyard and relationship with any standing buildings and the known history of the area, including previous finds, documentary references, and clues in the fabric of the church itself. Once the appraisal is complete, the DAA will make a recommendation as to the archaeological implications of the proposed work. There may be no need for any further archaeological involvement; if there is, there are several categories of archaeological recording which may need to be carried out before and/or during the proposed work.
Desk Based Assessment
The next step from an appraisal is a thorough desk-based review of all existing archaeological information relating to the area under consideration. As the term implies, this is essentially a documentary exercise, with any work on site limited to non-intrusive investigation. No holes will be dug, no plaster stripped. The information gained at this stage may be adequate but, if not, it will be necessary to proceed to the next stage of investigation.
Watching Briefs
For minor disturbances, e.g. a trench for a new pipe, or minor stone replacement or re-pointing, the recommended course of action is usually precautionary monitoring, often referred to as a "watching brief". This simply means having an archaeologist on site during the work to double-check that no significant historic deposits or features are being disturbed. This procedure is often appropriate for other types of disturbance, even as substantial as a small building extension, where this is being constructed on a 'raft' foundation to avoid deep digging. Watching briefs may sometimes, but by no means always, be provided at a modest, even nil cost by local authority personnel or the DAA. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for an experienced amateur archaeologist to undertake this responsibility, but only with the prior approval of the DAC. A watching brief is unlikely to be an adequate response to larger works, which may require an archaeological evaluation or excavation and recording.
Archaeological Evaluation
This usually takes the form of a small trial excavation to test the nature of the historic deposits, or a non-destructive survey using geophysics for example by passing a small electric current underground to determine if walls, foundations, or ditches are present, or a combination of these methods. The DAA will advise on suitable archaeological contractors who can carry out this work, providing if possible a choice of recommended individuals or organisations who, on invitation by the parish, may then tender for the work as set out in the brief.
Archaeological Recording
Works which involve replacement of, or interference with, historic fabric may require recording before, during and after the work takes place. It must be emphasised that this can also be the case in like for like replacement of materials, for example a stone parapet, a monument or a roof timber, or part of a wooden screen. This can range from a high quality photographic record to a comprehensive programme of detailed recording using the latest techniques, such as hand-drawn or photogrammetric stone-for-stone recording, and electronic surveys. The recording of historic roof and bellframe structures often requires particular stringency, and may embrace such techniques as Dendrochronology (tree-ring dating), Carbon-14 dating, and three-dimensional computer-aided imaging techniques. There may be grants available for such work, either through the grants administered by the CBC, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) or English Heritage where the conservation or repair work is funded by these bodies.
Archaeological Excavation
Occasionally, because of the evident importance of the church building or site, the requirement will be for archaeologists to undertake the work of a conventional excavation. Again, this should not be seen simply as an extra burden on parishes. The knowledge learned through such work can indeed be of positive benefit to a parish by adding to what is known about the history and development of the church and putting the building and the parishioners into a much wider context, and aiding in the future management of the church building and churchyard.
Human remains
It is very likely that an excavation (whether archaeological or otherwise) within a churchyard or within a church will reveal human remains. While care should always be taken to avoid damage to all archaeological deposits, in the case of human remains the reasons for preservation in situ go deeper than simply a desire to preserve information about the past. Pastoral, ethical and theological sensitivities also need to be taken into account. The Church of England has produced in collaboration with English Heritage a guidance document on Human Remains to aid everyone involved with this sensitive area.
RUINS
Ruins in general and ruined churches in particular are a common and treasured feature of the English countryside and are often taken for granted. Recent research by the Church Buildings Council expanding on earlier surveys by the Council for British Archaeology has shown that there are between 150 and 250 ruins within the Faculty Jurisdiction.
Ruins Guidance has been produced by the Church Buildings Council to assist parishes and dioceses.
This note was compiled by Joseph Elders, Archaeology Officer, Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division.
April 2005, November 2006 & December 2009
Further information
Caring for Church Archaeology published by CADW (the Welsh equivalent of English Heritage) is available online at the Clywd-Powys Archaeological Trust site. Paper copies are available from CADW.
The Association of Diocesan and Cathedral Archaeologists (ADCA) is the professional organisation which represents archaeologists who are charged with the proper conduct of archaeology of cathedrals and parish churches; they have produced a guidance note on "Archaeological requirements for works on churches and churchyards", available online.
The Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA) is the professional organisation for archaeologists in the United Kingdom. It promotes professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of heritage.
The Council for British Archaeology works to promote the study and safeguarding of Britain's historic environment, to provide a forum for archaeological opinion, and to improve public interest in Britain's past. Their website also hosts a special area devoted to Church Archaeology.
