The aggregates industry is perhaps the quintessential industry of
the 20th century, quite literally shaping our world, but its
history and archaeology have arguably been neglected. In this
ground-breaking new book, the author attempts to redress the
balance with an in-depth but accessible study of the sand and
gravel industry of the Trent Valley in the English Midlands. The
book explores an industry at the heart of the economic development
of modern Britain. It sets the emerging industry in the context of
the Trent Valley region and the tensions between the competing
requirements of mineral extraction and agriculture. Drawing heavily
on government documents (many newly released under the Freedom of
Information Act) that reveal the machinations of post-war planning
policy, the archives of major companies and oral testimony of
former workers, the author charts the growth of the industry in
20th century Britain. The history of the industry went hand in hand
with the growing use of concrete. The book begins with the geology
of the region and the earliest use of the resource. It explores
technological developments such as the invention of 'Ready-Mix
Concrete', and the impact of war, the motorway building programme,
and housing demands on the industry. The author then explains the
extraction process in detail, illustrated by case studies, and
considers the environmental impact of the industry on the
landscape. The book concludes with the oral testimony of those who
have worked in the industry.
General
Imprint: |
Council For British Archaeology
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
December 2008 |
First published: |
December 2008 |
Authors: |
Tim Cooper
|
Dimensions: |
246 x 189 x 13mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
160 |
Edition: |
New |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-902771-76-2 |
Categories: |
Books >
Humanities >
Archaeology >
Industrial archaeology
|
LSN: |
1-902771-76-1 |
Barcode: |
9781902771762 |
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