Keys to the Past

Durham and Northumberland County Councils Archaeology Sections manage large amounts of information about the archaeology and historic environments for their regions. Databases known as Historic Environment Records (HERs) record the information and data.

County Durham has over 15,000 sites of interest recorded and Northumberland has over 20,000. Through funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Keys to the Past’ has reworked this information to allow easy access to the public using the internet. Keys to the Past sets a new benchmark for the presentation of heritage data on the web, providing exciting and colourful access to the records of the two counties' archaeological and cultural heritage remains.

The site can be searched for information by time period, type or location. The use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) allows the results to be displayed on colour maps. Keys to the Past supports this information with photographs, historic maps, a large glossary of archaeological and heritage terms, simple parish histories and general background information for the two counties.

'Keys to the Past’ is the first stop for everybody with an interest in the archaeology of the Durham and Northumberland, whether school children, groups, individuals or academics.

The website provides access to a complete record of the archaeology of the two counties, from the smallest prehistoric flint through to monuments of the recent industrial past.

Visit the Keys to the Past website at www.keystothepast.info to find out more.

Please note that archaeological contractors are not advised to use Keys to the Past as their main source, please conact the relevant archaeology section.