Lost Landscapes of Palaeolithic Britain

Lost landscapes of Palaeolithic Britain

The contribution of projects supported by the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) 2002-2011

Projects supported by £8.8 million of funding from the British Government under the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) administered by English Heritage (now Historic England) have completely transformed our understanding of the Palaeolithic and contributed to our understanding of Pleistocene environments in Britain. This is a period of multiple Ice Ages interspersed with warmer periods, which forms the backdrop for human evolution. The benefits to archaeology and for the interpretation of these fragile remains from this ancient epoch have been incalculable.

In an effort to make this work better known, English Heritage (now Historic England) initiated the Lost Landscapes of Palaeolithic Britain project when the ALSF was cut in 2011. The project was designed and managed for English Heritage by Oxford Archaeology. It brought together a team of academic specialists, recognised as leaders in various aspects of the British Palaeolithic, but also crucially with experience of ALSF projects and developer-funded archaeology. The academic team was led by Professor Mark White of Durham University. Outputs from the project include an update of The English Rivers Palaeolithic Survey (TERPS) artefact database and a report to inform future research activities undertaken as part of the National Heritage Protection Plan.

A key and concluding part of the project was the production of a peer-reviewed monograph (White et al 2016) drawing together the key results of ALSF research in a series of thematic chapters and illustrated text boxes, focusing on cutting edge techniques, investigative strategies and case studies. Insights obtained from projects have helped to define future priorities and milestones for Palaeolithic research. This book has been specifically designed to provide an engaging and accessible commentary for the non-specialist, reaching out to curators, planning archaeologists and those working in industry and commercial units. The aim from the outset has been to bridge the gap between achievement and awareness of the huge contribution of the ALSF to this remote and often enigmatic period.

The Lost Landscapes of Palaeolithic Britain Project was monitored for English Heritage by Helen Keeley and Jonathan Last. The project was managed for Oxford Archaeology by Elizabeth Stafford.

The book is available to buy in hardback format from Oxbow Books £25.