Monument Mentors - Scheduled Monument Monitoring
There are hundreds of Scheduled Ancient Monuments across the South Downs. Although they can be seen on maps, they are not always visible or recognised on the ground and it is unknown what condition they are in. We trained volunteers and local communities to record what can be seen of these Monuments on the ground and encouraged an ‘Adopt-a-Monument’ approach that brought communities together to help monitor and manage these nationally-important sites. We ran workshops and expeditions with local residents to inspire them to explore and understand more about these monuments, how they have become part of our landscape, and how they connect us to the past.
We still need your help to protect our fascinating and important history for future generations to enjoy. Whether you are regularly enjoying the landscapes around you, or are just beginning to discover them, if you have a passion for history or are just looking for an excuse to get outside for health and wellbeing benefits, you can play your part.
What are Scheduled Monuments?
Scheduled monuments are the UK’s legally-protected archaeological sites. We all have a duty to look after them since they are part of our national story and form our past, present and future.
They can range in scale from the Iron Age Hillfort at Devil's Dyke which looks out over the weald of Sussex and Kent to the north and south to the Channel, to buried archaeological remains where nothing is visible above ground. Scheduled monuments provide a window on how people lived, fought, worshipped and shaped their environment around them across all periods of human history, from prehistoric Stonehenge to Cold War Orford Ness. In the context of environmental emergency and climate change, they are increasingly vulnerable but also hold the potential to inform us of how past societies adapted to change.
Some of the 20,000 scheduled monuments in England are well maintained and in good condition. Others have become lost from sight due to scrub invasion or damaged through cultivation, burrowing animals, erosion and the effects of climate change. In many cases we just don’t know what their condition is. This is why your help is needed.
An Introduction to Ground-based Archaeological Survey
Sarah Newsome from Historic England discusses the techniques that can be used and the things that you can look out for when trying to understand archaeological earthworks and historic landscapes. This is an unintrusive method of archaeological investigation.
How you can help protect our past to inform our futures
Monument monitoring is a chance for you to support England’s heritage by reporting the condition of a scheduled monument to Historic England. In some cases, this will be the first report for a long time and so will be a vital baseline for future management. it could also help more people connect with the heritage in their local area.
No archaeological experience is needed. There is a quick and easy-to-follow process outlined in the Level 1 Toolkit. (The toolkits can also be found at the bottom of this webpage as downloadable pdfs.)
The monitoring process will speed up even more as you complete a few surveys or if you are monitoring a local monument you come to know well. You can find out what scheduled monuments are on your doorstep by searching the National Heritage List for England (NHLE) map .
Once you have identified a monument in your area, it's as simple as making a visit (perhaps as part of a walk or bike ride), taking some photos and submitting them with a few comments. A few minutes of time will make a huge difference.
This can be done all over the country but, if you want to visit monuments that are managed by the National Trust we recommend you contact archaeology@nationaltrust.org.uk as there could be an established or growing team near you that you can join. We can answer any questions about the process, as well as support community group monitoring visits and potentially offer training.
So what are you waiting for? Grab the toolkit, pull on your shoes, grab the dog/bike/family, and get outside to meet your local scheduled monuments and the story of our past.
Monument Mentor Guides
Download these toolkits to get started
Monument Mentors Toolkit Level 1
Scheduled Monument Monitoring Tool Kit Level 1
Monument Mentors Toolkit Level 2
Scheduled Monument Monitoring Tool Kit Level 2