Historic Landscape Characterisation: A landscape archaeology for research, management and planning

Abstract This article outlines a relatively new form of landscape archaeology known in England as Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC). Whilst it seeks to present and analyse the 'historic character' of landscapes, HLC is also a forward-looking approach that uses its distinctively 'archaeological' perspective to inform planning for the future. The article argues that HLC is particularly well placed to facilitate communication between landscape scholars from different disciplines and other people concerned with landscapes.