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The Exploring Kent's Past project, funded by the Heritage
Lottery Fund, will allow us to make the Historic Environment Record
available online.
The Historic Environment Record (formerly known as the Sites and
Monuments Record), is an extensive collection of information
relating to Kent's heritage. The database contains information
about 20,000 archaeological discoveries and 17,000 listed
buildings, landscapes, excavations and library sources. The HER
also contains more than 4,000 archaeological reports as well as
aerial photographs and maps.
The sites in the HER date from the lower Palaeolithic period
(c.450,000 BC) to the present day. These cover a wide range of site
types, including Iron Age hillforts, Roman villas, castles, water
mills, fish traps, pillboxes and Cold War bunkers.
Some of the sites are still standing while others have been
entirely lost. Some have been excavated but others remain a
mystery.
Where does the information come from?
New information for the HER comes from various sources
including:
- archaeological work carried out as part of the planning and
development control process
- original research by local societies and academic
researchers
- accidental discoveries.
The HER is a continually growing database and new records are
being added all the time.
Who uses the Historic Environment Record?
The Kent HER is available for everyone to use. We want as many
people as possible to use the database to find out about heritage
sites in their area.
It is used in our work to inform planning and development
control so that sites and buildings are treated appropriately
during the planning process. The HER is also used for research by
academic and amateur researchers, for education, tourism projects
and by people interested in their local heritage. We used the HER
when we created our education packs for schools.
You can view archaeological reports and aerial photographs at
our office in Maidstone. To arrange an appointment, please
submit a request.
For commercial enquiries there is a charge for the HER Officer's
time of £65 per hour (or part hour) with a minimum charge of £65
(all charges exclude VAT). These enquiries will normally be dealt
with within seven working days. |