THERE’S no mistaking a war memorial. Designs may vary, but the long list of names leaves us in little doubt that this is a structure dedicated to remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

But other monuments can be more vague. Why is that statue there? What’s the story behind that blue plaque? Most of us have pondered such things from time to time.

Well, ponder no more. York Archaeological Trust (YAT) has launched a project to shed new light on old monuments and its historians want us all to help figure out what their symbols and designs represent. Naturally, the 100th anniversary of the Great War serves as a catalyst, but York is so rich in history that the trust wants to widen its research to cover all periods.

It also plans to make a film of this journey of exploration and a crucial aspect is how inanimate objects stir animated emotions when we discover a relative is, or is not, included in the commemoration. Which is rather fitting as we approach Remembrance season.