1.3 Aims and Objectives The aims of the project are to monitor the condition of archaeological sites in the coastal zone, the impact of erosion on these sites and to identify new sites in the study area. This will enhance and update information held in the regional HER. The project also aims to establish and develop community involvement and engagement with coastal heritage; encouraging participation and facilitating a programme of sustainable and long-term monitoring of sites with minimal input from the professional sector. Creating and developing links with other professional bodies, educational institutions, community and local interest groups will provide interested local individuals and groups with the information, skills and tools they need to undertake monitoring the condition of, and threats to, archaeological sites. The monitoring work can, in some areas, lead to further mitigatory measures against the impact of climate change and coastal erosion on the historic environment of the coastal zone. The project will also update the information generated by previous survey work undertaken in the study area and add value to previous work undertaken relating to coastal heritage.
1.4 Methodology The project has adopted a variety of methodologies in different areas of the work programme, with different outcomes, results and feedback. For the purposes of the project, the coastal zone has been defined as the intertidal zone, plus a band 500m inland of Mean High Water. Volunteer Recruitment and Training A major focus of the Arfordir project has been on the engagement of members of the public with the coastal heritage of the area, fostering their involvement in the monitoring of areas most vulnerable to coastal erosion, the condition of archaeological sites in these areas, and the identification of new sites. To accomplish this, volunteers were recruited and trained, to provide them with the skills to undertake monitoring work independently, so that such work can continue on a long-term basis with little support or input from professional archaeologists. Emphasis was placed on recruiting local people and residents who regularly use the coastal areas for recreational leisure and/or work purposes, as these will be bestplaced to notice change and undertake regular site monitoring. It was anticipated that a large proportion of the work in the pilot year of the project would consist of advertising the project to the community; identifying local groups, making contact with existing groups, and setting up new groups of volunteers, followed by training events, guided walks and field visits. Archaeological activities were expected to include: Monitoring Fieldwalking Survey Excavation/evaluation Monitoring visits and walkover surveys have been undertaken, both with groups and without, but due to timetabling and scheduling of the project, there has not as yet been an opportunity to undertake further investigatory work such as fieldwalking, earthwork survey, or excavation/evaluation in the year 2010/11. Several sites have been identified, however, which would benefit from further investigation and the implementation of measures to mitigate erosion damage, and it is anticipated that this work will be undertaken as a priority in the early part of 2011-12.
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