Preventive conservation for archaeological sites

Abstract

Preservation in situ is an option that is increasingly adopted for archaeological sites. In England, planning policy guidelines encourage the use of strategies to mitigate the effects of development on buried deposits. Effective preservation in situ requires a thorough understanding of the factors that might bring about the deterioration of the archaeological evidence. English Heritage has been engaged in a number of projects designed to establish the baseline for preservation in different environments. Research to date has focused on waterlogged environments and the hydrological conditions that will be conducive to the preservation of organic materials.