The archaeology of the West Midlands : a framework for research

The West Midlands is a region of geographical, topographical and geological contrasts, forming disparate landscapes that are reflected in the nature and diversity of its rich archaeology. This ranges from evidence of its prehistory to the important industrial heritage of its major conurbations. This book represents an attempt by the region's archaeologists to draw these varying archaeological landscapes together to produce a research framework and agenda for their future management. This is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the archaeological resource and has allowed new research directions to be followed and gaps in our knowledge to be filled. The book is arranged chronologically, each chapter addressing the important themes identified within each period. The colour images illustrate different aspects of the archaeology of the West Midlands and also include a series of distribution maps produced from data held in the region's Sites and Monuments Records and Historic Environment Records. The research agenda is an invaluable tool not only for those interested or involved in the archaeology of the West Midlands but also for those working in other regions, adding another important piece to the archaeological jigsaw of the British Isles and helping us to see the archaeology of the West Midlands more prominently in its wider context.

Table of Contents

1. Geology of the west midlands: a summary (Jonathan D. Radley)
2. The earlier prehistory of the west midlands (Paul Garwood)
3. Middle Bronze Age to Iron Age: a research assessment overview and agenda (Derek Hurst, with a contribution by Elizabeth Pearson)
4. The Romano-British period: an assessment (Simon Esmonde Cleary)
5. The post-Roman and the early medieval periods in the west midlands: a potential archaeological agenda (Della Hooke)
6. The medieval period (John Hunt)
7. ‘The archaeology of everything’ – grappling with post-medieval, industrial and contemporary archaeology (Paul Belford)
8. West Midlands Regional Research Framework priorities: Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) (Michael Shaw)
9. A common vision: priorities for Historic Environment Records (HERs) within the west midlands region (Victoria Bryant and Michael Shaw)
10. Curatorial practice (Mike Hodder)