Archaeology and aggregates

Archaeological excavations and quarries

Companies need to gain planning permission to begin a new quarry or extend an existing one. Archaeologists working in the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service assess whether there are likely to be archaeological remains destroyed by the quarry.

Photo of Digger digging in a quarry

They use a database comprising information on archaeological finds that have been collected over the years, known as the Sites and Monuments Record. This helps in making decisions about whether companies have to fund archaeological excavations. If they do, archaeologists then investigate the site before the JCBs and dumper trucks arrive.

Doncaster limestone

The history of quarrying in Britain goes back at least to the Roman period. Danum fort was at one time rebuilt with limestone walls, while Roman roads were constructed from the nearest source of suitable stone.

Image of an archeological dig site

Doncaster limestone can also be found in the 700-year-old walls and roofs of York Minster and Westminster Hall. ‘Aggregates’ is the name given to crushed limestone, sand and gravel that is used in road building and general construction.

Approximately 6 million tonnes of aggregates are quarried in the Doncaster district every year.