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Archaeology in Worcester
2000/01 - The UAD and Sites & Monuments Record
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The UAD (Urban Archaeological Database) and Sites and Monuments
Record The process of enhancing the Sites and Monuments Record through the Urban Archaeological Database commenced in earnest in early 2000, when the project design was updated. Data collection started in May 2000. At the end of 2001 over 200 monument records had been created. These cover a series of major medieval and early post-medieval monuments, including churches, chapels, monastic sites and almshouses, the medieval and Civil War defences, and the Cathedral and its precinct. These are currently being added to a computer database, along with 'event' records describing archaeological surveys, excavations and other work. The database is also being linked to the City Council's Geographic Information System, a map-based database. Information will be stored in a number of layers, separating out monuments of various periods and types, events, designations (scheduled ancient monuments, listed buildings etc), and deposit character zones. The link will allow archaeological information to be retrieved either through the map interface (through geographical queries, for instance by drawing a line around an area on the map) or directly from the database itself. A three-dimensional digital model of the city's topography and archaeological deposits is also being built up. This work is carrying forward the process of assessment and review started for Worcester by Barker (1969) and continued by Carver (1980). The collection and recasting of information is already having a major effect on our understanding of the medieval city in particular, and its impact on the day to day response to development proposals is evident. A detailed academic assessment of the archaeological evidence is due to follow this stage, taking our understanding of the development of Worcester to a new level. The project will also produce a strategy identifying the ways in which Worcester can make the most effective use of its rich archaeological heritage. |
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