Consultancy
Our consultancy service is designed to advise on potential archaeological constraints of a development at an early stage in the project.
With extensive experience in archaeological and historical research, we can carry out a desk-based assessment of a site on your behalf to determine what impact a development might have on any archaeological remains.
On larger sites, the research may be supplemented by a programme of non-invasive survey techniques. This might include historic building recording, topographic survey, geophysics, fieldwalking and shovel pit testing.
Our professional service is always tailored to meet your specific needs with a determination to find the right mitigating solutions for your project.
Excavation
The introduction of Planning Policy Guidance: Note 16 (PPG 16), issued by the Department of the Environment in 1990, incorporated the care of archaeological remains into the planning system. As a result, most of the archaeological investigations carried out in the United Kingdom are developer led and funded (Commercial Archaeology).
At Context One, our staff have a depth of experience in dealing with the challenges of commercial archaeology, and specialise in a wide range of archaeological techniques.
One aspect of our work involves excavation. Whether this includes monitoring a small development (Watching Brief), carrying out a limited excavation (Evaluation), or digging a major site (Excavation), we are committed to finding the right solution to meet your specific archaeological requirements.
We understand the pressure of busy schedules and the complexities of developments that our clients face on a daily basis, so at Context One we provide a professional and comprehensive service tailored to minimise the added pressure of any archaeological constraint.
This includes responding quickly to enquiries for our services, liasing with Planning Archaeologists to ensure that archaeological conditions are appropriately met, providing a robust excavation schedule to avoid costly delays, and delivering a detailed report produced to the highest standards.
Our aim is to provide total satisfaction, on time, and on budget.
Details of selected projects that we have carried out can be found on our online reports pages.
Geophysics
An effective and rapid non-invasive technique used to identify buried archaeological remains, we offer both magnetometry and resistivity as part of our geophysical service.
Geophysical survey is a cost-effective means of surveying large areas. For commercial archaeology, the results can be used as a framework to formulate an appropriate development mitigation strategy and assist in identifying areas of higher archaeological potential for targeted excavations.
Survey
We provide a range of surveying services depending on the requirements of a development project and your specific archaeological needs.
On large sites with little recorded archaeological data, for example, we might employ a rapid sampling strategy like fieldwalking and/or shovel pit testing. Such techniques are designed as a cost-effective means of surveying large areas for zones of archaeological potential.
These can be targeted for further, more intensive investigation. This could include geophysical and topographic surveys to help clarify the character of earthworks and buried remains.
A key aspect of our survey work involves historic building recording. This comprises a detailed analysis of a structure or specific components to establish its character, history, dating and setting, and can include surveys of buildings from all periods.
Details of selected projects that we have carried out can be found on our online reports pages.