Walmgate Stray, York

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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.

	Map 1: Walmgate 1st edition 1:2500
	Map 2: Walmgate 1925 1:2500

Publishing Institution

University of York