Archaeology Lincolnshire is also rich in archaeology , with much unresearched potential. Threats to archaeology include inappropriate land uses and new development. These do not consider areas of potential importance, and also often do not cover larger areas such as historic landscapes forming part of the countryside. In the past, ironstone and clay were important. There are significant reserves of aggregates within the County, although data for non-aggregate minerals is insufficient to evaluate.
Mineral extraction is a non-sustainable activity due to the finite nature of the resource.
It is seldom welcomed by local residents given the disturbances often associated with an active site. However, minerals can only be worked where they lie and care should therefore be taken to minimise the impacts caused. As mineral planning authority, the County Council plays a key role in overseeing the process of allocations and in ensuring the minimisation of environmental damage and the positive restoration of sites. Some parts of Lincolnshire have areas of derelict land that have at some stage been degraded or damaged or which are currently unused as a result of factors such as the local land market, transport or adjoining uses. Comprehensive data on derelict land does not always exist in an accessible form, although most local authorities do maintain some type of register of derelict land.