Historic Environment Record

What is the Historic Environment Record?

CPAT's Regional Historic Environment Record (HER) is a database and archive of information about sites of archaeological and historical interest within the Clwyd-Powys area. We have records of archaeological sites from all periods, ranging from the earliest known human habitation in Wales, through to relatively modern features such as World War Two military structures. We hold information about Listed Buildings and structures, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, individual find spots, and other archaeological features, from well-known and much visited sites to less obvious landscape features such as field banks and cultivation marks.

Right: The area covered by CPAT's Historic Environment Record is shaded green on this map of Wales

The area covered by the HER is rich in history and archaeology. At present, our database holds records of just over 64,300 sites, but is by no means complete. Fieldwork and research regularly brings to light previously undiscovered sites, as well as new information about the known archaeological resource. A full-time HER officer is employed to attempt to keep the records as up-to-date as possible. The Historic Environment Record is supported by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW) and Cadw, and has been adopted by each of our local authorities as their County Sites and Monuments Record.

Part of the HER consists of a computerised database of sites. For each site, key information is recorded, such as its name, location, site type, period and legal status. A brief description of the remains is also entered, and we maintain a list of bibliographic sources and finds relating to each site. Partnerships with local authorities allow the HER to use digital Ordnance Survey data for most of the Clwyd-Powys area, and we can therefore use a Geographic Information System (GIS) to view and analyse the records against a digital map base. We record other information in the GIS, such as the boundaries of Scheduled Ancient Monuments and extents and details of excavations and surveys.

Left: Castell Tinboeth, Powys - A 13th-century castle within the ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort. © CPAT 88-C-87

Alongside the computerised HER we hold substantial quantities of paper archives, maps and other supporting information. Particularly worthy of mention is our large collection of oblique aerial photographs which have been taken of archaeological remains and surrounding landscape over the last 30 years.

What is its function?

The Historic Environment Record is a valuable source of information for anyone interested in the archaeology and history of north-east and mid Wales, be they a local person, a visitor to the area, or a student, and whatever their level of interest. The HER has great potential as a source of raw data for research and analysis. It also plays a very important role in assisting with the management and presentation of the historic landscape and is used on a day-to-day basis by individuals, organisations and local authorities to assess the archaeological implications of proposed developments in the area.

How we can help you The Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust welcomes enquiries from anyone wishing to find out more about the archaeology of this area. Please contact the Historic Environment Record Officer, by telephone or letter and explain what it is you would like information about or complete our on-line enquiry form and send it off to us straight away. If you wish to enquire about a specific site or area, it is helpful if you provide a National Grid Reference. Once initial contact has been made, we can supply you with any relevant information from the Historic Environment Record database and we will be able to assess whether it is worth your while coming to visit us to look at reports, aerial photographs and other paper records. Copies of any of our aerial photographs can be ordered if required. Right: An orthostatic stone bank/field boundary at Rhayader, Powys. © CPAT CS90-13-23 Information from the Historic Environment Record will normally be provided free of charge (in line with the Welsh Archaeological Trusts' Access and Charging policy), though as a registered charity, any contribution you may wish to make towards the costs of our work would be gratefully received.

How you can help us

We strive to keep the Historic Environment Record as up-to-date, complete and accurate as possible, but in such an extensive area with such a large number of sites, this is no easy task. We therefore encourage everyone to help us achieve this. If we have sent data to you and you find that the information is inaccurate, please let us know. If you are carrying out research into any aspect of archaeology in this area, we would be grateful if you could let us see your results so that we can amend our records accordingly. We are also interested to find out about new discoveries within the area. If you come across an artefact or a site that you think we may not already know of, we would love to hear from you.

HER on-line

The Historic Environment Record for the Clwyd-Powys area is now available on-line. Selected data from the Historic Environment Record has been deposited with the Archaeology Data Service and can be searched alongside other archaeological data in their catalogue through ArchSearch at ads.ahds.ac.uk. Information available on each of the 45,000 sites in this database includes site name, type, period and grid reference, with a description of the site, and lists of associated bibliographic references and archaeological interventions. Both keyword and geographical searching can be carried out.

An index of information held by all four of the Welsh Historic Environment Records, the National Monuments Record and data held by Cadw, is also available for on-line searching from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales' website at www.rcahmw.org.uk follow the links to 'Search Records' and 'CARN'. This database, the Core Archaeological Record iNdex (CARN), provides a useful starting point for searching for archaeological information for the whole of Wales. Although the information available here is an index, providing key information only such as site name, type, period and grid reference, it also provides contact details for the appropriate organisation(s) so that further information on any site can be requested.

Coflein www.coflein.gov.uk is the online database for the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW). Coflein contains details of many thousands of archaeological sites, monuments, buildings and maritime sites in Wales, together with an index to the drawings, manuscripts and photographs held in the NMRW archive collections.

Public Access & Search Facilities - Contact details, opening times and facilities for visitors to the HER

HER enquiry form - Request information from CPAT's Historic Environment Record

Guidelines for Access and Charging - The Welsh Archaeological Trusts' Regional Historic Environment Records Guidelines for Access and Charging

Cost Recovery - Fees to cover the cost of servicing enquiries

Reproduction Rights & Fees - Explanation of rights and fees for reproducing CPAT copyright images elsewhere