A desk-based assessment is only as useful as the evidence that supports it. That evidence does not come from one source alone. Historic Environment Record data, old maps, aerial images, previous investigations and landscape clues all contribute to the final archaeological picture. Understanding how these sources work together helps explain why a DBA is an interpretive exercise rather than a simple download of site records.
Why HER data is so important
The Historic Environment Record is one of the core sources used in a desk-based assessment because it pulls together known sites, finds, buildings and previous archaeological work.
- HER data can reveal recorded monuments, former discoveries, cropmarks, historic buildings and earlier investigations in or near the site.
- It helps place the application land within a wider archaeological landscape instead of treating it as an isolated plot.
- Entries can point towards patterns of past activity by period, such as prehistoric enclosure, Roman occupation or medieval settlement.
- Crucially, the HER is interpreted alongside other evidence rather than being used as a checklist on its own.
What historic maps and aerial imagery add
Maps and aerial sources often reveal how the site changed over time and whether the current landscape masks earlier activity.
- Historic maps can show former boundaries, trackways, watercourses, buildings or field patterns lost from the modern surface.
- Aerial photographs may capture cropmarks, earthworks or anomalies that suggest buried remains nearby.
- Comparing map sequences helps identify modern disturbance, landscaping or quarrying that may affect archaeological survival.
- Taken together, these sources allow the DBA to describe both potential and constraint with more precision.
Why interpretation matters more than raw data
A site can have dozens of nearby records and still require careful judgement. The consultant’s role is to explain what the evidence means for this proposal.
- Some records may be highly relevant because they indicate direct continuity of activity across the site boundary.
- Others may be too distant or too poorly understood to carry much weight for the current proposal.
- The DBA should explain where evidence points to real archaeological potential and where apparent risk may be overstated.
- That interpretation is what makes the report useful to planners, owners and design teams.
Frequently asked questions
What does HER stand for?
It stands for Historic Environment Record, the main local record of archaeological sites, historic buildings and related heritage information.
Can online map searches replace a professional DBA?
No. Public searches are useful for background awareness, but a professional DBA draws on fuller data sources and interprets them in relation to the development.
Does aerial evidence prove archaeology is present?
Not always. It can indicate potential, but features still need to be assessed in context and may require later field verification.
Need advice on this type of project?
AS Archaeology & Heritage Services uses HER data, mapping and wider historic evidence to produce desk-based assessments that explain what the records mean for your specific site and proposal.
Related links: Desk-Based Assessments | Reports | Contact AS Archaeology