Untitled - Council for British Archaeology

33Procedures for Rapid Parish SurveyIn a County with 124 parishes, many surveyors will be involved in thework programme. It is essential to ensure a uniform level and standard ofsearch, so that the survey of a given parish may be used or revised ata future date against a background knowledge of what sources have been consultedand what procedures followed. Accordingly, the following check-listhas been evolved: it is normally laid out so that each item must be tickedas it is completed. The check-list has a particular training value in thatparish survey is the main activity of students from the Oxford University/DoE In-Service Archaeological Training Course seconded to the BedfordshireCC Field Archaeological Team.Pre-FieldPreparation of Working Maps: dyeline relevant maps from SMR transparentmaster copies; add material from office master paper copy, from paper copymaps held in Luton/Bedford Museums; dyeline blank 6"/1:10,000 maps to recorddocumentary information.Primary Record Cards: itemise on separate sheet all PRC numbers relating tochosen parish as check list of items to pursue in pre-field or field searches;check small-items boxes for extra information; check planning departmentparish admin file for extra information; note separately historic buildingsand dates as a guide to development of settlement.Maps: (CRO) pre-enclosure and estate maps; Enclosure Award and field names;Tithe Award and field names; County Maps - Jeffreys, Bryant etc.early editions of OS 25", 6" and 1" maps for marked sites andOS Map check:unmarked features; current OS maps for same; 1937 Land Utilisation Survey.Aerial Photographs: SMR photographs, ordered by parish; 1940s RAF coverage;Hunting Surveys 1968, 1974, 1976.Printed Sources: (mainly CRO & Local History Library): Bedfordshire Bibliography3 Vols; VCH (1900s); County History (Godber); Place-names of Beds;Beds Hist Rec Soc publns (esp. Coroners Rolls); Beds Notes & Queries; ParishRegisters (CRO publn series) for references to occupations/industries.County Record Office (CRO): CFO Transcripts series; pamphlets and publnsseries; main CRO parish index.Local Contacts: Local Archaeological or Historical Soc.; local historians,worthies, vicar etc.Collation: Prepare lists for field checking with sites already on SMR, sitessuggested by pre-field documentary search.FieldKnown or suspected sites: ascertain ownership and/or tenancy; check conditionand record by sketch/photograph/description as needed; note landscapeand settlement context; note adjacent land-use; note any local traditions.Check sensitive areasCheck historic boundaries, noting nature and conditionCheck any other possibilitiesPost-FieldRevise SMR, following accessioning check list: enter documentary referenceson Primary Record Card and Secondary Record Sheet as appropriate; add details