Archaeology

Archaeology and scheduled ancient monuments

Lewisham has a rich and varied archaeological heritage from evidence of prehistoric settlement to burial grounds, parks and industrial remains of the 19th and 20th centuries. 

The Council’s planning policies ensure that Lewisham’s archaeology is identified, protected and managed for future generations so that it can reinforce understanding of the borough’s past and contribute to its future.

Archaeological priority areas

Lewisham has 18 archaeological priority areas, which are areas where archaeology has already been found or is expected to be found. These areas are documented and mapped in Historic England’s Review of Lewisham’s Archaeological Priority Areas, dated June 2023.

Where development proposals may affect known or expected areas of archaeological deposits, the Council will consult Historic England’s Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service (GLAAS) for advice on how the impact may be avoided or mitigated. 

GLAAS may recommend the Council attaches an archaeological condition to a planning permission which requires investigatory works to be undertaken.

Scheduled ancient monuments

Lewisham has one scheduled ancient monument (SAM), the remains of a Tudor naval storehouse at Deptford Dockyard, a Royal Naval dockyard founded in 1513. It lies under the ground in what is now known as Convoys Wharf.

SAMs have legal protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and applications for any works that might affect them must be made to Historic England.

Professional archaeological assistance

If your property is in an archaeological priority area and you want to carry out works that could disturb archaeological deposits you may need to appoint a professional archaeologist to carry out a desk-based assessment or on site investigations.    

For more information, see the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.   

Further information

Historic England manages the Greater London Historic Environment Record. This holds information on almost 72,000 historical and archaeological sites and listed buildings across London, including in Lewisham.