Medieval Battlefield Archaeology

This article discusses the role that archaeology is increasingly taking in the study of battlefields and siege sites in Britain. It notes the interdisciplinary nature of the approach, integrating documentary with physical evidence, to understand both the events and their landscape context. Particular attention is given to the character of battle-related archaeology; techniques for its investigation, especially metal-detecting; and its potential to advance the understanding of warfare in general. To inform future work, key research objectives are identified and consideration is also given to the threats faced by the resource and the conservation management needs that must be met if the full archaeological potential of these sites is to be realized.