PEATLAND ARCHAEOLOGY - A CONSERVATION RESOURCE ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION

The dichotomy between the Arts and Sciences has meant that much valuable information in terms of conservation strategies available from the archaeological record has tended to be ignored by the conservation bodies and pigeon-holing within science itself further leads to an ignorance of the palaeoecological record and its relevance. Similar charges can be levelled at archaeologists for their failure to understand the relevance of their research to the modem world. An attempt is made to draw these various strands together in terms of recent work in wetland archaeology and the development of raised mires and their conservation in Britain, with particular reference to the Humberhead Levels of South Yorkshire and adjoining counties. A plea for more effective dialogue and a joint approach is entered.