Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society (BIAS)

Research in Industrial Archaeology: Approaches, Sources and Opportunities

Approaches

• what type of project?
• is it worth doing?
• how does it relate to current knowledge?
• what is the easiest way to approach it?

Possible Sources

• fieldwork;
• published works - bibliographies and guides to sites and industries p
• maps and plans - OS maps, tithe maps, insurance plans, estate plans;
• printed sources - directories, guides, travel diaries, newspapers, trade encyclopaedias and technical literature-
• pictorial sources - prints, photographs, drawings and archive film;
• documents/manuscript souroes - business records, letters, work of record societies and recent IT projects;
• oral history - interviews and recollections

Opportunities for research in Bristol

• port and related activity;
• transport - railways roads, aviation-
• processing imports - sugar, tobacco cocoa, wines and spirits;
• processing local produce leather, corn, brewing;
• mining and quarrying;
• manufacturing -textiles, engineering, clothing and shoes, transport equipment;
• chemicals, glass and pottery;
• paper, pnntsng and packaging;
• construction - the industry and its products;
• infrastructure - utilities and amenities.

Suggested Reading

Industrial Archaeology in General

• Industrial Archaeology an Introduction Hudson, K (1963). The pioneering book, reissued in subsequent editions
• Industrial Archaeology in BritainBuchanan, RA., (1973). Comprehensive general study, reissued in subsequent editions .
• The BP Book of lndustrial Archaeology Cossons, N..(1975). Comprehensive general study, reissued in subsequent editions .
• The Archaeology ofthe Industrial Revolution Bracegirdle, B. (1973) provides a superb visual introduction to the subject.
• English Heritage Book of Industrial England Stratton, M. and Trinder, B. (1996). Recently-published book provides a current view
• Twentieth Century Industrial Archaeology (2000) Recently-published book provides a current view,
• Industrial Archaeology Principles and Practice Palmer, M. and Neaverson, P. (1998). Recently-published book provides a current view, has a full bibliogmphy.
• The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Industrial Archaeology Trinder, B. (ed.) (1992). Substantial reference book
• Dictionary ofindustrial Archaeology and Jones, W. (1996). Substantial reference book
• Perspectives on Industrial Archaeology Cossons, N. (ed.) (2000) is an interesting collection of essays which takes stock of the progress of the subject to date.

The Bristol Area