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Archaeological evaluation | trenching and test pitting
Trenching and test pitting
Archaeological evaluation is usually required at the pre-app or pre-determination stage of the Planning Process, in line with Section 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Evaluation involves taking a look below the surface of the ground to ascertain the presence, nature and preservation of any archaeological remains within a development area. This will be undertaken in accordance with a specification of works provided by the Local Authority archaeological team, or in accordance with a Written Scheme of Investigation approved by the same team.
The process usually takes the form of a combination of geophysical survey (where appropriate and which Vindomora Solutions Ltd subcontract out) with trenching and/or test pitting. In most cases, the Local Authority has set guidance as to the amount of trenching required: usually between 3 and 10% of the development area as appropriate.
The results of the evaluation will then decide the level of mitigation (if any) that will be imposed as a planning condition on the site in question.
Often, these trenches are excavated in the first instance by a mechanical excavator, such as a JCB, under archaeological supervision. The archaeologists then take over with hand tools as soon as the first archaeological horizon (or undisturbed geology) is uncovered. The trenches are cleaned of debris (even if no archaeology is present), features investigated and in some cases environmental samples taken and artefacts retained to be sent to specialists where necessary.
Where working space is restricted or only small areas of excavation required by the Local Authority, archaeological test-pitting can be used for evaluation, rather than large trenches. These test pits are a quick way of evaluating an area though their window on any archaeological remains is much smaller and more can be missed. Test-pitting is also often used on sensitive areas such as graveyards when attempting to find wall foundations for repair or replacement. Where possible, test-pits are usually excavated purely by hand, though in cases where tarmac or other modern overburden has to be removed a small mechanical excavator is often used.
Read the NPPF
See Section 16 for archaeology and heritage
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Setting Vindomora Solutions up as a publisher is something I've been discussing for several years now... and now, its a reality! Funded by Urban Design and Conservation, Newcastle City Council, I'm pleased to announce that Volume 1 of The Ebenezer Project, written by Peter Ryder will launch on the 9th December. The boxes in the pic are full of printed copies ready for the launch event, then copies should be available for all to purchase online. More info nearer the time!
2 days ago
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I wondered if the images taken during the Level 2 recording of Whitlow III bastle at Epiacum could generate a 3D model (accompanied by Doonan Architects' drone images).
What do you think? The internal south fireplace needs a little work but not too bad as a by-product...
Whitlow III Bastle remanant - 3D model by Tony Liddell - Sketchfab
3D model of Whitlow III bastle remnant, near Epiacum Roman Fort, Alston, Northumberland. The model still needs a little work on the internal south wall fireplace etc, but the model was generated essentially as a by-product from images taken from a Level 2 building recording project, so I’m qui...
8 months ago
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📢We are really pleased to announce that bookings for our 2023 excavation season are now live!!!
We will be undertaking our final season exploring a lost medieval tower at the base of the ancient entrance to the castle fortress.
Find out more 👉https://bamburghresearchproject.wordpress.com/2023/02/08/excavation-season-2023-booking-is-open/
10 months ago
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A little innovation in archaeological survey. The clip below shows John working his way around the Moasure One, a motion-reliant measuring tool that produces 3D line drawings in real time with on-screen measurements that can be immediately exported as an image, PDF or to CAD.
We've recently also started using the unit for updating building floorplans - we often get provided with such plans for undertaking historic building recording projects, but they're often out of date. The Moasure One provides a very quick and accurate alternative to sometimes the laborious task of updating those plans on site.
#archaeology #innovation #moasure #moasureone #archaeologicalsurvey
12 months ago
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Hi Tony - can you add point locations, as a layer? to get 3D location of finds within site boundary?
Over the Summer we had some interesting projects to undertake, which included six walkover surveys in Northumberland combining to well over 1000 hectares. Some of the sites we inspected were stunning examples, one of which was the Kettley Rock Art Shelter, Scheduled Ancient Monument List entry 1417677. The rock art panel likely dates to the Late Neolithic or early Bronze Age, and was originally discovered in the late 20th century. Unlike a lot of the panels we inspected in the local area that were degrading badly, the Kettley panel was shielded by the overhang of the 'shelter', thus preserving the designs to a much greater degree. Below you can see a selection of the photos from the survey, including John undertaking part of the recording process.
#archaeology #northumberlandarchaeology #rockart #northumberlandrockart #cupandring #neolithic
12 months ago
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I visited some of these cup and ring marked stones when walking in Northumberland some 30,+ years ago. Glad to see they are being fully recorded now
Hopefully what every other archaeology team is doing today!
1 years ago
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Coming soon, published by Vindomora Solutions Ltd...
Some interesting bottles coming up during today`s watching brief...
Might see some of you there tomorrow?
#dobusinessnetwork #dobusinesslocal #smallbusinesssupport #networking #neshoeboxexpo #archaeology #archaeologicalpractice #northeastarchaeology
Might see some of you there tomorrow?
#dobusinessnetwork #dobusinesslocal #smallbusinesssupport #networking #neshoeboxexpo #archaeology #archaeologicalpractice #northeastarchaeology
The Blair Mick Project...
#historicbuildingrecording #archaeology #basementrecording
Test pitting the Causey West Bank Haulage Engine yesterday and today to check for solid structures beneath the rubble.
#tanfieldrailway #causey #industrialarchaeology
Test pitting the Causey West Bank Haulage Engine yesterday and today to check for solid structures beneath the rubble.
#tanfieldrailway #causey #industrialarchaeology
Is this a line that should never be crossed in archaeology? 😉
#railway #industrialarchaeology #archaeology #countydurham
Is this a line that should never be crossed in archaeology? 😉
#railway #industrialarchaeology #archaeology #countydurham
Its amazing what can be found in modern clearance cairns (piles of stone cleared from the local area by farmers/landowners). In this one was this lovely likely Neolithic/Bronze Age cup-marked stone (unrecorded in the area), as well as the remnant of a stone marked as `standing stone` in the Historic Environment Record...
#archaeology #northumberland #prehistoric #prehistoricnorthumberland #cupmarkedstone #archaeologicalsurvey #fieldsurvey #archaeologylife #archaeologicalfieldwork
Its amazing what can be found in modern clearance cairns (piles of stone cleared from the local area by farmers/landowners). In this one was this lovely likely Neolithic/Bronze Age cup-marked stone (unrecorded in the area), as well as the remnant of a stone marked as `standing stone` in the Historic Environment Record...
#archaeology #northumberland #prehistoric #prehistoricnorthumberland #cupmarkedstone #archaeologicalsurvey #fieldsurvey #archaeologylife #archaeologicalfieldwork
The Long Stone on Longstone Hill, Northumberland. The 1866 mapping shows the stone, but it does not appear in the Northumberland County Council Historic Environment Record for the area. The stone lies north of a Bronze Age funerary cairn field (Scheduled).
#northumberland #standingstones #longstone #archaeology #bronzeage
The Long Stone on Longstone Hill, Northumberland. The 1866 mapping shows the stone, but it does not appear in the Northumberland County Council Historic Environment Record for the area. The stone lies north of a Bronze Age funerary cairn field (Scheduled).
#northumberland #standingstones #longstone #archaeology #bronzeage
The `Shepherd`s Cairn` on Lucker Moor, Northumberland. Described in the Historic Environment Record as a Post-medieval funerary monument.
#northumberland #northumberlandarchaeology #archaeology #funerarycairn #cairn #postmedieval
The `Shepherd`s Cairn` on Lucker Moor, Northumberland. Described in the Historic Environment Record as a Post-medieval funerary monument.
#northumberland #northumberlandarchaeology #archaeology #funerarycairn #cairn #postmedieval
`Archaeopup` Luna popped into the office this morning, but decided she didn`t fancy helping with the latest report writing...
#archaeopup #dogsofarchaeology #vindomorasolutionsltd #archaeologylife #archaeology #cantgetthestaff #caledonianwolfalike
`Archaeopup` Luna popped into the office this morning, but decided she didn`t fancy helping with the latest report writing...
#archaeopup #dogsofarchaeology #vindomorasolutionsltd #archaeologylife #archaeology #cantgetthestaff #caledonianwolfalike
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