Quaternary geoconservation and Palaeolithic heritage protection in the 21st century: developing a collaborative approach

Abstract

Abstract This paper explores the links between the study and conservation of Palaeolithic archaeology and Quaternary geology, using examples from England. In Britain, human occupation is believed to have started approximately 800,000 years ago, thus giving rise to significant overlap between sediments studied by Quaternary geologists and those of interest to Palaeolithic archaeologists. Given the scientific importance of understanding environmental change and its impact on previous populations, along with the cultural significance of studying past human communities, there is an equal need to understand the opportunities and challenges for conservation. There are long-standing legislative, resourcing and methodological differences between geological and archaeological conservation, which we review here, as well as different approaches to site selection and management. There are also differences between the treatment of Palaeolithic and more recent archaeology, which strengthen the need for a closer alliance with Quaternary geoconservation. Ultimately, successful conservation of Palaeolithic archaeology and Quaternary geology should use both heritage protection and geoconservation measures to best advantage, for which mutual understanding is essential. Here, as a contribution to furthering such understanding, we explore the opportunities and challenges for conservation, and set out key areas and priorities for effective collaboration, which is illustrated by a case study from Cannoncourt Farm Pit SSSI (Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK).