Our Services: South West Archaeology offers a broad range of archaeological services that will help you meet you planning needs. Our skilled team is available for watching briefs and archaeological excavation as well as historic building recording and scheduled monument consent.
For each of the archaeological services which we provide we will also co-ordinate and compile the necessary reports to satisfy the requirements of the planning conditions. We have presented the results of hundreds of projects ranging from simple HER entries up to full-scale excavation reports.
Project Consultancy: South West Archaeology offers a complete archaeological package, tailor-made to suit your planning conditions.
Thanks to our highly qualified staff, South West Archaeology is able to offer our client a service that will guide them through the archaeological planning process. We can advise you on where to start as well as how to proceed after the initial phases. We can recommend which course of action to follow, whether that involves a short watching brief or requires more rigorous archaeological excavation and will see the project right through the post-excavation process as well helping you to clear your planning conditions.
Desk-based assessments: Generally required as the first stage in any archaeological works relating to development. It takes the form of a study of all existing information concerning the archaeology of a site or building – maps, documents, photographs, previous studies etc. We generally carry out a site visit but no excavation or invasive work is involved.
This type of assessment can be particularly useful as an indicator of the presence of archaeology in the area. Whether it is located on a green field site that was once the location of a Roman town, or a historic manor house that dates back further than originally thought.
Field evaluations: Commonly recommended for any site that shows potential for archaeological features. This technique of investigation takes the form of machine-dug trenches typically covering 2-10% of the site’s area. Any archaeology that is revealed during this process is excavated and recorded sufficiently to understand it. The Historic Environment Service of the relevant planning authority may recommend further works on the basis of these results.
Scheduled Monument Consent: Some archaeological sites are afforded additional protection as being listed as Scheduled Monuments - view this English Heritage link for more information. In certain circumstances consent is given for works in such areas - we have experience in seeing through the processes necessary to gain such consent, aided by staff who have previously worked for English Heritage, the advisory body in these matters.
Historic Building Survey: Alterations to historic buildings often result in requirements for recording as part of the planning process. We have extensive experience in producing the necessary surveys and reports, including work on listed buildings.
Watching Briefs: A common condition imposed following the assessment of a site’s archaeological potential is that archaeologists should observe any ground works on the site and record any significant material that is revealed. We have experience of numerous watching briefs and have developed strategies to minimise any delays to the development that might result.
Archaeological Excavation: Should it be required, South West Archaeology is able to carry out excavation and recording in advance of development. Our staff have many years of experience on a wide variety of sites and will always aim to minimise the expense and delay of excavation.
Geophysical Surveying: South West Archaeology offers gradiometer and earth resistance surveying. The particular method or combination of methods used depends on local soil conditions and the survey requirements.
The geophysical surveying equipment South West Archaeology uses is specifically developed for archaeological surveying and is a proven technology. When used in conjunction with software designed to analyse and present the recorded data, these systems are capable of delivering fast and accurate assessments of the archaeology of both large and small sites. If excavation is required, the geophysical assessment can be used to place trenches over potential archaeological features.