APAC Archaeology Ltd | Local Archaeologist | Archaeological Services Wales

A watching brief/monitoring involves an archaeologist being present while specified construction or groundworks take place.

The archaeologist observes the exposed ground and records any archaeological deposits, structures or finds encountered during the work.

This is commonly required during activities such as foundation excavation, service trenches, drainage works and ground reduction.

An archaeological evaluation is used to determine whether archaeological remains are present on a site and, if so, their character, extent, condition and significance.

This often involves excavating a number of trial trenches across the proposed development area before the main construction work begins.

An excavation is generally required where significant archaeological remains are known or discovered and need to be investigated and recorded before they are affected by development.

Unlike a watching brief, excavation normally takes place as a dedicated archaeological operation before construction continues in the affected area.

A Desk-Based Assessment, often abbreviated to DBA, examines existing information about a site and its surrounding area.

This may include historic maps, archaeological records, previous investigations, aerial photographs, historic documents and other available sources.

The assessment considers the archaeological potential of the site and the possible impact of the proposed development.

A historic building survey creates a record of a building before it is altered, converted or demolished.

Depending on the level of survey required, this may include photographs, measured drawings, written descriptions and analysis of the building's development and construction.

A metal detecting survey is a systematic survey used to identify and record metallic objects within a defined area.

Rather than simply searching for interesting finds, archaeological metal detecting is undertaken in a controlled manner so that the location and context of relevant finds can be recorded.

Metal detecting surveys may be used as part of a wider archaeological investigation where appropriate.

A Heritage Impact Assessment considers how a proposed development may affect the significance and setting of historic buildings, archaeological sites, conservation areas and other heritage assets.

It brings together available information about the site and its surroundings and assesses the likely impact of the proposed development. Where appropriate, it can also recommend ways of avoiding or reducing potential harm.

An Archaeological Impact Assessment considers the potential for archaeological remains to be present and how they could be affected by a proposed development.

The assessment uses existing archaeological, historical and site information to identify potential impacts and help determine whether any further archaeological work may be necessary.

The purpose is to provide an appropriate and proportionate assessment of the archaeological implications of the development.

A walkover survey involves inspecting a site on foot to identify and record visible archaeological or historic features.

These may include earthworks, building remains, boundaries, platforms, tracks or other features visible within the landscape.

The survey provides a record of what is present at the time of inspection and can help inform the assessment of a site's archaeological potential.

A geophysical survey is a non-invasive method of investigating what may lie beneath the ground without excavation.

A.P.A.C. Ltd only undertakes electrical resistivity surveys, which measure variations in the electrical resistance of the ground. These variations can sometimes indicate buried features such as walls, foundations, ditches or other changes below the surface.

Geophysical survey results are interpreted alongside other archaeological information and do not necessarily mean that archaeological remains are present.