The site is dominated by cultural heritage remains from a succession of historical periods dating as far back as the 2nd millennium BC.) In such a context it is exceedingly difficult to refer to a `natural` environment which is in any way separate from the cultural environment: human habitation has shaped this place for thousands of years. Nonetheless the geology, climate and vegetation onsite form the physical foundation of any work to be implemented there, and the vegetation yields up some strong guidelines for planning and design interventions.