Archaeologists
Archaeology becomes a practical concern on historic building projects the moment ground is disturbed or fabric is opened up, and it is frequently attached to planning permission as a condition. The practices in this category carry out desk-based assessments, evaluation trenching, watching briefs during groundworks, excavation where required, and historic building recording. Their work also has positive value for owners: understanding what lies beneath a floor or behind a wall often changes the design, and the record produced becomes part of what is known about the building.
What this category covers
- Desk-based assessment and archaeological evaluation
- Watching briefs during groundworks and opening up
- Excavation and post-excavation analysis and reporting
- Historic building recording to specified survey levels
- Discharge of archaeological planning conditions
Archaeology Scotland
Archaeology Scotland is a charity that promotes the understanding, protection and enjoyment ...
Armour Heritage Ltd
ARCHAEOLOGY AND HERITAGE CONSULANTS: Armour Heritage Ltd provides a complete suite of ...
Border Archaeology Ltd
Border Archaeology is an archaeological and built heritage consultancy operating across the ...
British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography
The British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography is a bibliographic resource covering archaeology ...
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ORGANISATION CIfA is the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in ...
Archaeology on a building project
Deal with the condition before you start. Archaeological conditions usually require a written scheme of investigation, agreed with the local authority archaeologist, before any groundwork begins. Starting first and appointing afterwards is the most common and most expensive mistake.
Budget for the report, not just the fieldwork. Post-excavation analysis, specialist reporting, archiving and publication are part of the cost and are often what a condition requires to be discharged. Fieldwork quotations that exclude them will understate the total.
Treat floors and walls as archaeology too. Lifting a floor, removing plaster or opening a blocked doorway destroys evidence just as excavation does, and building recording is frequently required alongside groundworks conditions.
Use what you find. Evaluation often changes a design for the better, moving a foundation, a soakaway or a service run away from something significant, and it removes the risk of a discovery stopping the job at the worst possible moment.
Questions to ask
Why do I need an archaeologist for a small extension?
Because the planning permission may carry a condition requiring it, particularly in a historic core, on a scheduled or previously occupied site, or within the curtilage of a listed building. The condition, not the size of the extension, determines the requirement.
What is a watching brief?
An archaeologist attends while groundworks are carried out, records anything exposed and can pause work briefly to investigate. It is the usual proportionate response where remains are possible but not certain, and it is much less disruptive than prior excavation.
What happens if something significant is found?
The scope may need to be extended, and in rare cases the design changed to preserve remains in place. This is one reason for evaluating early: a discovery during a watching brief mid-contract is far more disruptive than one identified at design stage.
All 6 businesses listed under Archaeologists
- Archaeology Scotland Midlothian
- Archaeology South-East East Sussex
- Armour Heritage Ltd Somerset
- Border Archaeology Ltd Greater London
- British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography York
- Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Berkshire
Directory information is provided to help visitors identify potentially relevant specialists and suppliers. Inclusion does not constitute a recommendation, approval or guarantee by Tuscan Foundry Products. Please check current services, credentials, availability and suitability directly with each business.