Libraries and leisure

Built heritage

The tools for learning about our cultural history can be found in archaeology and building preservation - two very important activities that help us understand where we have come from, and indeed provide some insight into where we are headed.

Old buildings give us the opportunity to experience the everyday surroundings of many generations and provide a sense of local continuity rooted in the past. This is of both educational and psychological value to our own generation and also forms a continuing attraction for tourists. Such buildings are often of special historical interest, either because they are associated with famous persons or events, or because they represent past traditions of architectural design, craftsmanship, ways of living and building, and they can be studied as 'archaeology above ground'.

Archaeology in itself is valuable too - for almost all of the period of human history archaeological remains are our only source of evidence about the past. They are also crucial to our understanding of the development of the modern landscape.

Hertfordshire is particularly rich in archaeological remains. The combination of good soils, favourable climate and adequate supplies of water made it a favoured area for settlement from the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 12000 years ago.

The Hertfordshire County Structure Plan recognises the special importance of historic buildings to the future character of the county, and the County Council maintains a county team to provide specialist advice and information on historic buildings, conservation and archaeology.