Site Validation - how do we check that a site is valid?

Submitted by Thorgrim on Friday, 11 March 2005 Page Views: 2116

**Strawhenge** submitted by Davidwk : Spotted driving through North Norfolk the other day. Not thought to be of ancient origin. (Vote or comment on this photo)

When we add a new British site to the Megalithic Portal, we try to ensure that it is a genuine prehistoric site. Sometimes people send us photographs of places that look prehistoric, but may not be. You can help us by checking out various online authorities yourself, but the Portal's editors will always check that a site is included on one of the following lists before adding it. We then note the official source as the authority for the site. None of us want to mislead enquirers by adding modern dry stone walls or casual stones to the Portal in the erroneous belief that they are prehistoric features. Sometimes, new sites ARE discovered that haven't been listed - but that is rare. You can still send details to us, but don't be surprised if we question them and seek further opinions. If a site is not listed in one of the following, we can accept evidence from a reputable publication such as Burl. Holy wells are a special case as they are difficult to find listed anywhere.

The first step to take when wanting to add a new site is to check to see if we already have it. Often people don't and of course if we do have it on the Portal, we won't be adding it again. The editors will check your new site on one or more of the following online lists. You can help us by checking yourself and adding the validation source to your new site submission.

ENGLAND

National monuments Record (NMR)

Go to NMR

The National Monuments Record (NMR) brings together a range of unique archive and information resources and services, including over 12 million photographs, plans, drawings and reports. The records have been created by national institutions concerned with national survey programmes and projects, or acquired by them from others. Chief among these institutions are the former Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record, the former National Buildings Record, the National Library of Air Photography and the archives and information created and acquired by RCHME.
Since 1 April 1999, the NMR has been designated as the public archive of English Heritage and is responsible for curatorial and dissemination services associated with heritage datasets and archives corporately. During 1999 the NMR acquired responsibility for the English Heritage Historic Plans (formerly the Ministry of Works Plans Room) and in April 2000 acquired responsibility for the management of the Savile Row Photographic Library.

Pastscape

Go to Pastscape

PastScape is a new online resource developed by English Heritage’s National Monuments Record (NMR), which provides an easy-to-use way to find information about many of England's ancient and historical sites, buildings and monuments. The information within PastScape is taken directly from the NMR's national historic environment database containing nearly 400,000 records on the archaeology and buildings of England and its territorial waters. These records contain descriptions of any interesting archaeological details, pictures (where available), and links to maps and aerial photographs on other websites. The site is free to use and there is no need to register.

MAGIC Map
Go to MAGIC

This is easily reached by clicking on the "i" icon from any Portal site page. You will go to MagicMap and can use your cursor to point to all of the scheduled monuments when a text summary will drop down.

MAGIC is the first web-based interactive map to bring together information on key environmental schemes and designations in one place. MAGIC is a partnership project involving seven government organisations who have responsibilities for rural policy-making and management, and although it has been designed to meet the needs of the partner organisations, the facility is available to anyone over the Internet.
The MAGIC partners are:
 Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
 Countryside Agency
 English Heritage
 English Nature
 Environment Agency
 Forestry Commission
 ODPM (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)
MAGIC makes use of standard GIS tools to allow people to view and query the available data. Users do not require specialist software and can access maps using a standard web browser. MAGIC also provides links to other sources in order to make best use of the wide range of information available on different websites and Internet portals. This varies from simple hotlinks to web pages containing supporting information to more complex searches between different websites or applications, where data searches can be sent from one website to another. Some links have already been established, but MAGIC continues to explore the possibilities of new links with other organisations and facilities.

WALES

RCAHMW
CARN - Core Archaeological Record iNdex
Go to RCAHMW

The National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) holds the national collection of information about the archaeological, architectural and historical heritage of Wales and provides a public information service, drawing on both archival and published sources and benefiting from specialist advice from RCAHMW staff. Indexes to the information, including core site data, form the RCAHMW's contribution to the developing Extended National Database for Wales.
The NMRW archive grows daily as information is gathered directly from RCAHMW survey programmes and from donations of material from other organisations and private individuals. Currently there are over 1.25 million photographs, 70,000 plans and drawings and 50,000 historic maps in the collections in addition to thousands of surveys and reports. Available in Welsh and English

SCOTLAND

RCAHMS
Go to RCAHMS

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) is responsible for recording, interpreting and collecting information about the built environment. This information, which relates to buildings, sites, and ancient monuments of archaeological, architectural and historical interest (including maritime sites and underwater constructions) is then made freely available to the public.

CANMORE
Canmore is the name given to the RCAHMS database. It contains details of c.250,000 archaeological sites, monuments, buildings and maritime sites in Scotland, together with an index to the drawings, manuscripts and photographs in our collections. Images of some of the photographs or drawings in the collection are also available in Canmore. You can search for information by name, location, site type or collection or search using the Canmore mapping service

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