Archaeology is the study of the past through the material remains left by our ancestors. This evidence can be buried or upstanding, deliberately constructed or the by-product of other activities such as agriculture. The evidence can consist of a few artefacts or an ancient place name.

Archaeology is a finite, non-renewable resource, decaying from its conception. Some sites are durable and visible as on Dartmoor, others are hidden and are only revealed through excavation or aerial reconnaissance. However because the archaeological resource is irreplaceable, excavation is only usually appropriate if the site will otherwise be destroyed without record or if there is a proven research need; non-invasive investigation such as aerial reconnaissance is to be preferred.

Many monuments and sites are protected by being scheduled as Ancient Monuments, but this protection is limited, (for example, scheduling does not prevent continuing cultivation), and only extends to the more important monuments; the majority of lesser sites have no formal protection.

New sites are discovered regularly but others are destroyed both by human and by natural processes.