Introductions to Heritage Assets (IHAs)

Our illustrated bite-sized research summaries of different types of heritage assets. These useful guides summarise existing literature, as well as giving insights into less well-known topics that might not have been widely studied or written about.

What Introductions to Heritage Assets cover:

Our 'Introductions to Heritage Assets' (IHAs) series sets out our current understanding of different types of historic buildings, landscapes, sites or monuments (collectively referred to here as ‘heritage assets’), as well as the historic development of ships and boats. The guides are usually laid out in a similar way: 

• A short introduction: This first section defines the type of heritage asset covered in the guide and explains any alternative names by which it is known. It also provides the broad date range of this type of heritage, discusses how many examples are known and outlines where they are located. Threats specific to this type of heritage are also identified here.
• A description, or historical background: This section considers in greater detail where this type of heritage asset can be found, how it looks or would have looked and how it functions or would have functioned. Some guides also include a timeline, tracing the development of the asset type through time.
• Development: For some heritage assets the description is followed by a more detailed discussion of their development, which may be revealed by archaeology or survey work. 
• Further reading: Each guide finishes by signposting to key works for further reading.

IHAs fall under 4 main categories: buildings, archaeology, designed landscapes and ships and boats. New titles are added regularly, as our understanding evolves or new research comes to light.