Laying the Foundations

A history and archaeology of the Trent Valley sand and gravel industry

How were these resources used in the ancient past? What modern impacts have the technological developments had on housing, motorways, war and the everyday lives of people in the region? What processes are involved in the extraction of these raw materials? Who are the local people who have worked in this industry?

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 Tim Cooper 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, answering these important questions and more. Price £35.

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