Archaeology Service
The West Berkshire archaeology service provides advice and information about the historic environment of the unitary authority of West Berkshire.
Archaeological work at Raghill Quarry
The service is part of West Berkshire's Cultural Services and is based in the Council's offices at Avonbank House in West Street. It aims to promote the appreciation and preservation of West Berkshire's historic environment for both local people and visitors.
The archaeological resource is defined as the physical remains of past human activity. It includes buried features and sites, objects, earthworks, structures, buildings, designed landscapes (such as parks and gardens), other historic landscapes (such as relict field systems and battlefields) and towns and villages. Information about these features can be found on West Berkshire's Historic Environment Record (previously called the Sites and Monuments Record).
The archaeology service works closely with other Council departments, local groups and national organisations.
West Berkshire's archaeology service liaises closely with national organisations to stay informed of developments in the profession and to ensure adherence to nationally agreed standards of best practice.
West Berkshire's archaeology service aims to collaborate with local groups working towards archaeological protection and interpretation across the former county of Berkshire.
One of the key objectives of the archaeology service is to support the management of the archaeological resource in West Berkshire, and advice is provided on how to manage sites so that they remain in good condition.
Archaeological advice is provided for matters relating to planning in West Berkshire, both strategic and development led.
West Berkshire Council in partnership with Community Action West Berkshire is at the forefront of Parish Planning, enabling local communities to develop their own ideas and priorities. Understanding that each parish and village has a unique history can add a broader view to these plans.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is a national voluntary project to encourage the reporting of archaeological objects found by members of the public. These finds offer an important source for understanding our past, made more valuable when their context or provenance is known.
The archaeology service is involved in several research projects across West Berkshire, working with different partners.
The Historic Environment Record (HER) is the primary index about the physical remains of past human activity in West Berkshire. It has changed its name from the Sites and Monuments Record to reflect a new broader scope of information content.
