Merseyside Historic Characterisation Project (MHCP)

The Merseyside Historic Characterisation Project (MHCP) was undertaken by the Merseyside Archaeological Advisory Service, based in National Museums Liverpool. The project covers the five local authorities which make up the Merseyside area, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral. Commissioned by English Heritage in 2003, the MHCP was the first of a number of surveys to develop and explore a methodology for historic landscape characterisation of a large metropolitan conurbation. The project commenced in April 2003 with methodology development, pilot phase and implementation to June 2005, after which the dedicated project officer post was vacant until April 2008. The project was subsequently reviewed, recast and completed between 2008- July 2010. Data was transferred to the Historic Environment Record in August 2010; report editing and production was finalised in 2011.