York: World Class Heritage City
About the Bid
York's bid for World Heritage status is based on the outstanding archaeological resource that lies beneath the city. The proposed World Heritage Site will consist of these sub-surface archaeological deposits. York lies in a limited European zone where wet ground conditions, combined with intensive human occupation, have produced anoxic burial environments that produce exceptional preservation of organic materials. The deep, extensive, well-preserved, frequently anoxic archaeological deposits below York provide a unique resource of organic remains and environmental data about two millennia of urbanism. In addition, the city includes cemeteries and burial sites dating from the Roman period to the present day. This cultural layer of the 1st – 20th centuries is a unique archaeological monument.
York is a continuously inhabited 2000-year-old city with a central role throughout British history. Uniquely it combines a key Roman legionary fortress, colonial capital, Anglo-Saxon metropolitical cathedral city, Viking capital and medieval regional capital and cultural focus, any of which might command World Heritage listing.
The number, quality, variety and architectural and historical importance of its buildings, the universally significant artistic works they contain, their state of preservation, conservation, documentation and association with important events and people of world or national significance make York exceptional on a world scale.
Since 2006, the York World Heritage Steering Group has worked to formulate this bid and to raise awareness and support for York as a World Heritage Site. City of York Council has developed sensitive and effective policies to manage these outstanding archaeological deposits. Private, charitable and public organisations within the city are world-leaders in archaeological research, conservation, public presentation and community involvement. There is overwhelming public and political support and commitment for inscription as a World Heritage Site.
Accessibility of the sub-surface deposits
Deposits, structures and artefacts are easily accessible, once excavated, in the following ways:
• In museums such as The Yorkshire Museum (eg: Anglo-Saxon helmet)
• Through visitor attractions such as Dig and Jorvik Viking Centre (structures and individual finds)
• Structures left exposed (eg: Legionary Fortress beneath York Minster, St. Mary's Abbey, The Roman Bath PH etc.)
• Excavations open to the public eg: Hungate.
• Participation in excavations eg: Hungate and through the active Community Archaeology programme
• Where development is proposed, the archaeology remains in situ after archaeological exploration, but is thoroughly recorded for future access.
Only a small area of the proposed World Heritage Site has yet been excavated.York is a living city so there are continually new development proposals, small and large. This gives more opportunities for excavation and new discoveries of the sub surface deposits.
These are in safe hands: good archaeological management policies are in place. The city is recognised as a centre of archaeological excellence for research, expertise, academic, learning, and heritage-related businesses.