Digimap Case Study:
Walmgate Stray, York - Landscape Investigation
Authors
Oliver Bullock
Title
Walmgate Stray, York - Landscape Investigation
Date
November 2006
Application Area
Landscape Archaeology
Application to other subject areas
Local History Studies; Planning
Project type
Undergraduate fieldwork project
Summary
The project used non-intrusive survey and desk-based techniques to create a landscape history of an area of common land in York. This included map regression through Edina historic maps.
Datasets Used
- Historic map series: County Series
- Edition: First ed. onwards
- Scale: 1:10,560, 1:2500
- Names of other data used:Aerial photographs from the national monuments record, Swindon and English Heritage, York.
- Source: Digimap
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the project was to create a clearer picture of the chronological development of the research area. It was also to introduce students to the methods of topographical survey and desk-based study, including map regression techniques.
Methodology and Results
The project was implemented initially through the use of aerial photographs to identify any archaeological features, including old field boundaries and drainage at the site. The Ordnance Survey maps from Edina Digimap were then analysed to track the development of the site’s boundaries and land use. This was an integral part of the project because it informed the later use of topographic survey equipment to measure archaeological features such as ridge and furrow.
The project was able to track the changes in land use at the site from the medieval period until the second world war. It has informed local history studies in the area and oral historical accounts have also been collected.
Additional Information
This project was part of a 2nd year undergraduate module taught at the University of York. It introduces students some basic principles of survey and background research. The Edina historic maps have been an important part of the teaching of the module.
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Map 1: Walmgate 1st edition 1:2500 |
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Map 2: Walmgate 1925 1:2500 |
Publishing Institution
University of York
Contact us at: edina@ed.ac.uk
EDINA, Causewayside House
160 Causewayside, Edinburgh
United Kingdom EH9 1PR
EDINA is the Jisc-designated national data centre at the University of Edinburgh.
