Establishing a methodology to unlock the archaeology of attack on siege sites: a case study from 17th Century England

建立一种方法来解开攻城遗址攻击的考古学：以 17 世纪英格兰为例

• 批准号: AH/I024879/1
• 负责人: Glenn Foard
• 金额: $ 6.91万
• 依托单位: University of Huddersfield
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Training Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2012 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=AH%2FI024879%2F1
• 关键词: Establishing; methodology; unlock; archaeology; attack

The revolution in the study of battlefields achieved by the application of archaeological techniques has largely bypassed the study of sieges, even though they were of equal importance as battles to the outcome of warfare in the early modern period. The present study will explore the archaeology of attack left on Civil War siege sites in England, comprising bullet scatters around the site and bullet and cannonball impact scars on the surviving standing structures. The evidence is seen on and around castles, great houses, churches and occasionally on lesser domestic buildings. A significant number of these are in the care of English Heritage but others are managed by the National Trust, the Church of England and private owners. Not one siege site in England has yet seen systematic study of all such evidence. The evidence on some, possibly many sites, is being destroyed by treasure hunters removing the bullets and other artefacts, while impact scars are under threat of destruction by conservation works on historic buildings because of the lack of awareness of the existence of the evidence or its potential value. This study will refine the database of Civil War sieges sites and asses likely state of preservation of the archaeology of those sieges, and identify existing records of archaeological evidence for them. Techniques of recording and analysis will be refined, building upon the existing methodology of battlefield archaeology, including bullet analysis, and developing new methods for recording impact scars. Modern methods of ballistic and forensic study will be employed to refine existing methodology. In this way an example of best practice will be provided for archaeologists working on siege sites in the future.Example sites will be selected for systematic metal detecting survey of artefacts scatters and recording of impact scars. This will extend our understanding of the individual sieges, providing evidence for the direction and intensity of attacks. The scatters of impacted bullet may also provide evidence of now demolished structures. Bullet scatters from outgoing fire will show the range of the different types of guns as firing positions will be known from the location of the defences. Study of impact scars in relation to adjacent impacted bullets which have ricocheted back, may show the direction, range, accuracy and intensity of fire. Interpretation will be complemented by experimental firing studies underway at Cranfield University. The study will thus advance understanding of the types of weapons in use and their range and capabilities, providing information which can improve our interpretation of similar evidence on battlefields where the gun positions are not known.Once the evidence is better understood the sites can be more effectively managed, with guidance drafted for the conservation management of siege sites; revision of the boundaries of statutory and non-statutory designations; and assisting in the targeting of agri-environment grants schemes by Natural England. Priority will be given to investigating English Heritage sites as here management and interpretive potentials can be exploited by EH to provide exemplars of best practice elsewhere, relevant to owners of and those working on other siege sites in the UK and Europe.

通过应用考古技术实现的战场研究革命在很大程度上绕过了对围攻的研究，尽管围攻对于近代早期战争的结果与战斗同等重要。本研究将探索英格兰内战围城遗址上留下的攻击的考古学，包括遗址周围的子弹散布以及幸存的直立结构上的子弹和炮弹撞击疤痕。这些证据可见于城堡、大宅、教堂及其周围，偶尔也可见于较小的住宅建筑。其中大部分由英国遗产管理，但其他则由国家信托、英格兰教会和私人业主管理。在英格兰，还没有一个围攻地点对所有这些证据进行了系统的研究。一些遗址（可能是许多遗址）的证据正在被寻宝者清除子弹和其他文物而毁坏，而由于缺乏对证据存在或其潜在价值的认识，历史建筑的保护工程也面临着毁坏痕迹的威胁。这项研究将完善内战围城遗址的数据库，评估这些围城考古的可能保存状况，并确定其现有的考古证据记录。记录和分析技术将在战场考古学的现有方法（包括子弹分析）的基础上得到改进，并开发记录撞击伤痕的新方法。将采用现代弹道和法医研究方法来完善现有方法。通过这种方式，将为将来在围城遗址工作的考古学家提供最佳实践的范例。将选择示例地点对文物散落进行系统金属探测调查并记录撞击痕迹。这将扩展我们对个别围攻的理解，为攻击的方向和强度提供证据。受影响的子弹的散落也可能提供现已被拆除的建筑物的证据。射出火力的子弹散射将显示不同类型枪支的射程，因为射击位置将从防御工事的位置得知。研究与弹回的相邻撞击子弹相关的撞击痕迹，可以显示射击的方向、范围、准确性和强度。克兰菲尔德大学正在进行的实验性射击研究将补充解释。因此，这项研究将增进对所使用武器类型及其射程和能力的了解，提供信息，以改善我们对枪支位置未知的战场上类似证据的解释。一旦更好地了解证据，就可以更有效地管理这些地点，并为围攻地点的保护管理起草指南；修订法定和非法定名称的界限；协助自然英格兰制定农业环境补助计划。将优先调查英国遗产地，因为 EH 可以利用此处的管理和解释潜力来提供其他地方的最佳实践范例，与英国和欧洲其他围攻遗址的所有者和工作人员相关。