Heatwave reveals historical archaeological sites in Shropshire

This years long, hot summer has lead to a large number of discoveries across Shropshire and the UK.

Funding from Historic England has allowed Shropshire Council's Historic Environment Team to take advantage of the dry conditions to identify and record archaelogy being revealed in Shropshire.

Archaeologists have also carried out four wide-ranging reconnaissance flights to make discoveries and add significant detail to previous historic sites.

This Summer has allowed archaeologists to record Bronze Age burial monuments, Iron Age farms and Roman ‘marching’ camps.

This year has seen 22 sites recorded during aerial survey and significant detail added to the previously known sites

The imagery taken by aerial photography has been catalogued within the council's Historic Environment to support the heritage of the country and ensure it is protected and managed by working constructively with farmers, landowners and developers.

Centuries of ploughing mean that archaeological sites are no longer visible above ground so aerial photography adds to our understanding of the past.

Summer 2018 has put many crops under stress and therefore made archaeological remains visible by burying ditches below the plough soil as the overlying crop grows taller and ripens slower.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “I think for a lot of us this summer has been wonderful with the sunny weather; some may say it’s long overdue!

"While it’s been great to top up our tans and enjoy the weather, the dryness has enabled Shropshire Council’s historic environment team to make some remarkable discoveries.

“We now have record of 22 never seen before archaeological sites improving our knowledge of our beautiful county putting us in better stead to preserve, protect and celebrate our history.

"I’m delighted with the results of the survey and thank the team for their great work.”

Damian Grady, Aerial Reconnaissance Manager at Historic England said: “This summer’s spell of very hot weather has provided the perfect conditions for aerial archaeologists to ‘see beneath the soil’.

"The discoveries in Shropshire are exciting and the finds from this aerial survey are already enriching our understanding of the county’s fascinating history.”

For more information about Shropshire Council’s Historic Environment Record and range of archaeological sites and features, visit http://search.shropshirehistory.org.uk.