Archaeology and ancient monuments

Sites of national archaeological importance are protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Some archaeological sites and structures may be acknowledged as being of national importance and have been classed as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Proposed works on these sites can require 'scheduled monument consent' from the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

Other sites, that are known about are recorded on the South Yorkshire Sites and Monuments Record (SMR). The SMR contains information on sites and finds of archaeological interest of all periods, from Palaeolithic to World War II.  This includes all types of finds, from single finds to large industrial complexes. Recent changes to national planning policy require the relevant Historic Environment Record (in this case the South Yorkshire SMR) to be queried. An assessment has to be provided in relation to any development site with archaeological potential.  

The Barnsley SMR is held at Sheffield and maintained by the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service (SYAS). The archaeologists at SYAS provide specialist advice to Barnsley Planning Authority when it's been identified that there are archaeological considerations as part of planning applications.

For more information on archaeology in Barnsley contact the South Yorkshire archive service by emailing syorks.archservice@sheffield.gov.uk or call (0114) 273 6428 or (0114) 273 6354. To consult the Sites and Monuments Record, visit the South Yorkshire archaeology service. 

SYAS,
Howden House,
1 Union Street,
Sheffield, S1 2SH

Further information