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

由于考古技术的应用，战场研究的革命在很大程度上绕过了对围城的研究，尽管在现代早期，围城对战争结果的影响与战斗一样重要。目前的研究将探索英国内战围攻遗址的攻击考古，包括遗址周围的子弹散落和幸存的站立结构上的子弹和炮弹冲击疤痕。这种现象在城堡、大宅、教堂及其周围随处可见，偶尔也会出现在较小的家庭建筑上。这些文物中有相当一部分由英国遗产管理局（English Heritage）保管，但其他一些则由国民信托（National Trust）、英国国教（Church of England）和私人所有者管理。在英格兰，还没有一个围城遗址对所有这些证据进行过系统的研究。一些（可能是许多）遗址上的证据正在被寻宝者们拆除子弹和其他文物所破坏，而由于对证据的存在及其潜在价值缺乏认识，对历史建筑的保护工作正威胁着撞击痕迹的破坏。这项研究将完善内战围城遗址的数据库，评估这些围城考古可能的保存状态，并为它们确定现有的考古证据记录。记录和分析技术将在现有战场考古方法（包括子弹分析）的基础上得到改进，并开发记录冲击伤痕的新方法。将采用现代的弹道和法医研究方法来改进现有的方法。通过这种方式，将为未来在攻城遗址工作的考古学家提供一个最佳实践的例子。将选择示例站点进行系统的金属探测，对人工制品散射进行调查，并记录撞击痕。这将扩展我们对单个围困的理解，为攻击的方向和强度提供证据。弹着弹的散落也可能为现在被拆除的建筑提供证据。射出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。研究撞击痕迹与相邻的弹跳子弹之间的关系，可以显示射击的方向、范围、精度和强度。解释将由克兰菲尔德大学正在进行的实验发射研究补充。因此，这项研究将促进对使用中的武器类型及其射程和能力的了解，提供的信息可以改善我们对不知道炮位的战场上类似证据的解释。一旦更好地了解了证据，就可以更有效地管理这些遗址，并为围城遗址的保护管理起草指南；修订法定和非法定名称的界限；协助确定英国自然署的农业环境赠款计划的目标。将优先考虑对英国遗产遗址的调查，因为这里的管理和解释潜力可以被EH利用，为其他地方提供最佳实践的范例，与英国和欧洲其他围城遗址的所有者和工作人员相关。

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.