Landscape History Article Index for
Landscape 		Website Links For
Landscape 		 

Information About

Landscape History
  CATEGORIES ABOUT LANDSCAPE HISTORY
   
fields of history
   
archaeological sub-disciplinesfields of history
   
archaeological sub-disciplines
   
archaeological sub-disciplines
   
APPAREL
BABY
BEAUTY
BOOKS
CAR TOYS
CELL PHONES
DVD'S
ELECTRONICS
GOURMET FOOD
GROCERIES
HEALTH & PERSONAL
HOME & GARDEN
JEWELRY
MUSIC
MUSIC INSTRUMENTS
OFFICE PRODUCTS
SOFTWARE
SPORTING GOODS
TOOLS & HARDWARE
TOYS
VIDEO GAMES
SHOPPING HOME
MORE SHOPPING...




ORIGIN AND SCOPE

Landscape history emerged as an academic discipline following the publication of ''The Making of the English Landscape'' by W. G. Hoskins in 1955, although some topics that are now considered part of landscape history had been identified earlier. Darby ''Some Early Ideas on the Agricultureal Regions of England'', in The Agricultural History Review, 1954. http://www.bahs.org.uk/backnumbers/02fastview.pdf, for example, gives many early examples of regional characterisation of landscapes.

Following Hoskins, landscape history expanded in various directions. There are published landscape histories of a number of English counties.J Hunter, ''The Essex Landscape'' is one example. Other authors have studied the landscape at earlier periods. D Hooke, ''The Landscape of Anglo-Saxon England'' among others. One productive avenue has been the study of specific landscape features such as fields, villages, and so on. J Morris, ''Churches in the Landscape'' is one of many with the title "... in the Landscape" or similar. Managed Woodland has been extensively studied by Oliver Rackham for example, ''Trees & Woodland in the British Landscape''.

The scope of landscape history ranges from specific individual features to areas covering hundreds of square miles. Topics studied by landscape historians include:
  • the form (morphology) of settlements - for example whether they are Dispersed or Nucleated ;

  • Deserted Medieval Village s which provide evidence of earlier village forms;

  • Field Systems which can be used to date landscape features as well as illuminating earlier landscapes;

  • Field Boundaries or boundaries of larger units such as parishes or counties;

  • Place-names which have been used to illustrate landscape features, particularly Anglo-Saxon place-names.



TECHNIQUES

Two complementary approaches can be used to study landscape history - fieldwork and documents. Fieldwork involves physical inspection of the landscape to identify Earthworks and other potential features. Documentary research involves finding references to landscape features in primary and secondary sources. Among the most useful documentary sources are maps. Modern Aerial Photographs are useful for identifying large-scale features; earlier aerial photographs may show features that have now been lost.

The origin of features can often be related to the geology and ecology of the area being studied - for example the importance of springs and the suitability of the soil for different forms of agriculture.

The Historic Landscape Characterisation programme initiated by English Heritage provides a framework for standardising and recording information information about landscape history, particularly to support The Planning Authorities .


ACADEMIC STATUS

Few universities have a department of landscape history. Academic landscape historians are typically found within departments of archaeology, history, local history or continuing education. Landscape history courses are typically post-graduate or extra mural.


LANDSCAPE FEATURES

Landscape features can often indicate earlier land usage. For example a Red Hill in a coastal area is an indication of salt production.


JOURNALS AND BOOKS

''Landscape History'' is the name of a refereed journal published by the Society for Landscape Studies. http://www.landscapestudies.com/


NOTES