The archaeology of Scilly is of international importance with evidence on land and below the present high water mark indicating that Scilly has been settled for at least four thousand years.
There are 239 Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Many of these scheduled sites cover extensive areas on the islands, containing over 900 individual monuments, representing different periods. There are concentrations of prehistoric ritual and burial monuments, field systems and houses, cist grave cemeteries and Romano-British settlements and shrines.
Over the last four hundred years a series of military installations has developed from Tudor forts and castles, Civil War batteries, 18th century and late 19th century defences, to World War II pillboxes and airfield installations.
Lighthouses and other evidence of the maritime heritage of the Isles can be found, while the wrecks of over 700 ships point to an astounding marine archaeological resource.
