We have a wealth of experience in designing and delivering evaluation schemes which conform to planning requirements. We excavate several hundred evaluation trenches each year. Typically this involves machine-excavating a series of archaeological trenches, positioned to sample the development area. Trial trenching can be utilised in both rural and urban environments, and is often requested pre-determination of planning permission. On greenfield sites, it is usually preceded by geophysical survey, which enables the trenching to be targeted. The trenching aims to determine whether any archaeological resource is present and how significant it is.
Where no archaeological deposits are found, the development can usually proceed without further archaeological involvement. If significant deposits are identified, these are evaluated as part of the process so that a final mitigation strategy can be devised.
A series of trenches excavated by machine can be used to sample the development area to identify any surviving archaeological resource
Where archaeological remains are present, the JCB is stopped and an archaeologist excavates the features by hand
Each trench is excavated down to the natural subsoil, with any archaeological features assessed and recorded to determine their significance
Each trench is excavated then recorded and the final report provides an assessment on the significance of any archaeological resource uncovered and whether further work is needed
Evaluation schemes can be used to cover large areas quickly. They are typically preceded by geophysical survey, which enables the trenching to target any possible archaeological features
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