Within Cambridgeshire’s modern landscape lie the remains of thousands of years of human activity. These archaeological remains, together with the vestiges of former landscapes, are the key to understanding the county's past. They are a fragile, vulnerable and irreplaceable part of the local environment. The Historic Environment Team protects and promotes this valuable resource.
We maintain the Historic Environment Record for the county (formerly the Sites and Monuments Record or SMR). Additonally, archives from fieldwork in Cambridgeshire are held at the County Archaeological Store, where they can be accessed by researchers whilst being maintained for future generations.
Our Planning and Countryside Advice archaeologists work to mitigate the impact of land use change on Cambridgeshire’s rich archaeological heritage, ensuring its sustainability and long term conservation for future generations.
We are the advisory service for the Local Planning Authorities, developers and their agents on the potential impact of land use change on archaeology and the historic environment. We can also advise on environmental enhancement projects, agri-environmental schemes and the care of ancient monuments and historic landscapes.
We also host the Portable Antiquities Scheme for Cambridgeshire, which provides a finds identification service for the public and advice about the Treasure Act as part of a wider programme of outreach and public archaeology.
We undertake a variety of projects to improve our understanding and conservation of the historic environment of Cambridgeshire. Recent and current projects include:
- Historic Landscape Characterisation;
- Extensive Urban Survey; and
- Monument Protection Programme.
The following pages present more detail on these services, and provide links and downloads with further information.