Romano British Enclosure, Barrow

Palaeochannel, Aston on Trent

Romano British/ Iron Age Feature, Hoveringham Quarry

Trent & Peak Archaeology (formerly Unit/Trust and originally the Trent Valley Archaeological Research Committee) was formed in 1967 to carry out archaeological research on the gravels of the river Trent. From modest beginnings the Unit now has a staff of about 20, with additional part-time specialists and field-workers, and with local volunteers helping on selected projects. Working principally in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, the Unit also undertakes projects further afield and staff have worked in Europe and the Middle East. However, the emphasis remains on archaeological research within the region, and it is here that the Unit's strengths and expertise lie.

Funding, largely from English Heritage and Local Authorities, enables the Unit to carry out a wide range of research projects. Currently these include a survey of Anglo-Saxon Derbyshire, a detailed survey of the nationally-important historic settlement and field systems at Laxton, a survey of the industrial buildings of Newark, an archaeological assessment of the Trent floodplain and gravel terraces, an assessment of the potential of Mesolithic archaeology in the Pennines, and post excavation analysis of prehistoric pottery from South Lincolnshire as part of the Fenland Management Project.

The greatest part of the activities of the Unit, however, currently centre around rescue archaeology paid for by developers. Most of this work consists of evaluation, and the preservation by record, of sites due to be destroyed by new development. The range of such projects is great: from desk-top surveys to large-scale excavation; from Late Upper Palaeolithic to the English Civil War and beyond.

Many of the Unit staff have particular areas of expertise, and teach in both the archaeology department and with the University Department of Continuing Education, including the certificate courses in Archaeology and Heritage Conservation. The staff also lecture widely to both local and national societies, and communicate the work of the Unit to the local and national media.