Archaeologists are concerned with recording, interpreting and conserving the historic environment, using their particular skills to 'read' the landscape. This may involve:

• field survey,
• documentary research,
• excavation,
• geophysical survey,
• building analysis,
• palaeo-environmental sampling,
• landscape characterisation
• mapping

The Trust has an active archaeological and historic landscape survey programme. New discoveries are continually being made which enlarge our understanding of the historic environments it owns and provide vital information for managers.

Far from being a dry, academic subject, the discipline of archaeology has become an essential and dynamic component of environmental planning and successful conservation.

Apart from being used to guide day-to-day management, surveys also feed into the preparation of statements of significance and conservation plans which will form the long-term vision for Trust properties and will help in their interpretation and presentation.