Shared Visions: North East Regional Research Framework for the Historic Environment

The integration of archaeology and heritage conservation into the planning process has led to a rapid and considerable increase in the volume of fieldwork carried out both nationally and locally over the last sixteen years. Concern has been growing that that much of this work lacks research focus. Similarly, grant-giving bodies require some sense of priority to ensure the appropriate distribution of what are often limited resources. Thus it is essential for such work to be carried out in the context of a firm academic understanding of the history and archaeology of each region.

Shared Visions: The North East Regional Research Framework for the Historic Environment (2006 Petts, D and Gerrard, C) aims to fulfil this need by providing a viable, realistic and effective academic basis for undertaking research into the historic environment of the North East of England (County Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Teesside). It sets out a series of research priorities for the region as a whole that will not only help to provide structure to commercially driven fieldwork locally but also supply a sense of direction for all strands of future research.

Funded by English Heritage and undertaken jointly by Durham County Council’s Archaeology Section and the Department of Archaeology, Durham University, The NERRF is a partnership project and throughout its preparation advice and support have been received from individuals and groups drawn from all elements of the historic environment sector including local societies, amateur and commercial archaeologists, curators of the historic environment and academic archaeologists. By working together it has been possible to create a commonly agreed framework representing the thoughts and opinions of those whose work brings them into regular contact with the region’s past.

The monograph Shared Visions: The North East Regional Research Framework for the Historic Environment can be purchased from our online shop through County Durham Books, the publishing section of Durham County Council. Alternatively, please contact the Archaeology Section directly via email: Archaeology or telephone 0191 370 8712 to order a copy of the monograph or the non-technical summary leaflet.

Shared visions can also be downloaded below.

Shared Visions.pdf (288 pages, 17354kb)

Archaeological Projects

Hadrian's Wall Research Framework