Archaeology and Churches

Introduction

Churches are a definitive element of the archaeology of any town or village. They are important monuments in their own right but also, in the pattern of their growth and contraction at the heart of the historic community, they present a microcosm of the changing historical fortunes of the parish that they served, and still serve.

The history of the church is represented in the surviving fabric, which may incorporate several different periods, and also in buried archaeological deposits. The latter may provide the only information for the earliest period of the Christian church and also for any occupation that preceded it.

The same may be true of the land surrounding a church, typically now part of the graveyard.  The site of churches can move and the buried remains of an early church may lie adjacent the present buildings. The shape of a boundary around a churchyard can also provide important evidence for the origin of the site.  Human burials have their own importance as the ultimate record of the community that worshipped in the church.  They can provide information as to population levels, health and diet.

Any building work that is proposed in or adjacent to an historic church, or on church that has been built on an earlier archaeological site can provide an opportunity to uncover further information about the  heritage of the parish - or can irrevocably damage or destroy that evidence.

Archaeological evidence can be disturbed during:-

• Re-pointing
• Replacement of stonework
• Underpinning
• Lowering of floor levels
• Removal of plaster
• Renewal of timberwork
• Excavation of pipe trenches
• Digging of drains
• Repairs/consolidation of ruins
• Building of extensions
• Extension of graveyards

The County Archaeology Officer  for Worcestershire is also the Diocesan Archaeology Advisor and provides an advisory service on behalf of the Diocesan Advisory Committee.  He should be consulted at the earliest possible stage (preferably at the design stage and prior to the submission of a faculty) wherever any of the above works are proposed on any pre-19th century church or its churchyard.  Later churches may also have archaeological interest, but this is more infrequent and will be assessed at the Faculty submission stage.  Critical information to provide at this stage is the location, scale and depth of any proposed disturbance.

The advisory service is provided freely and a formal brief will be provided to advise the PCC of the specific threat, and scale of any archaeological work that is considered necessary. The first priority will, however, be to reduce the impact on any archaeology. There will be a presumption against the disturbance of human remains.

Except in the case of very minor works which still might be provided at no cost, the PCC will then be responsible for appointing, and funding, an archaeological contractor to undertake this work (a list of appropriate contractors will be provided).  The Archaeology Advisor, or a member of staff of the Planning Advisory Section of the Archaeological Service will monitor the standard of work on behalf of the parish and the DAC.

The required works may range (according to specific circumstances) from

• Photographic record (before and after any repointing/stone replacement)
• Drawn record (of specific details of more general alterations)
• Watching brief (typically the observation of service trenches or footings)
• Archaeological evaluation (a limited excavation to assess the need to recommend larger scale excavation or even refusal of Faculty)
• Archaeological excavation prior to building works (for work in particularly sensitive areas or where large-scale disturbance is proposed).

For further information

A downloadble version of this leaflet  (23.75 KB)
National guidance on dealing with Archaeology in and around Churches  can be found

or contact...
Malcolm Atkin, County Archaeology Officer (01905) 855474
County Historic Environment and Archaeology Service, Woodbury Hall, University College Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ

e-mail to matkin@worcestershire.gov.uk

Other useful addresses

Secretary, Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches, The Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester, WR1 2JE  Tel: (01905) 20537

English Heritage, West Midlands Region, 112 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3AG 
Tel: (0121) 6256820.