At any stage in the life of a project Abrams Archaeology are happy to provide advice and guidance. Able to listen and then give an honest response with the best intentions for our clients (reducing their risk and maximising opportunities). We treat every site as unique and focus on our clients aims when designing projects.

 

• Press and Media interest

We have experience of dealing with various forms media interest and help with press releases, ensuring the client is well represented.  After all it, it is usually the client’s investment that is enabling any archaeological investigation to be undertaken.  If we can advance the image of a client through careful handling of press then we will be pleased to do so.

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• Reviews of Costs and Scope

The costs associated with commercial archaeological work in the UK run into millions of pounds per annum; this spent on many thousands of interventions.  Given this scale of work, there is frequently a need to consider scope and scale of work. We can review scope and costs and where necessary provide a second opinion and alternative costs.

 

In order to complete this work we review all existing reports and LPA advice. We may call upon a client to check very specific information on development impact (scale and depth). In these ways we can check whether there may be scope for a review of scope and cost. Our clients in urban areas, with deeper archaeological deposits can find this service advantageous.

 

• Geoarchaeology

This field of specialist expertise draws upon geography, geology and other Earth Sciences to examine topics which inform archaeological knowledge. When development takes place on certain types of land, there is the potential to reveal, and investigate deeper deposits, holding Geoarchaeological information. Developers can be required to ensure these deposits are investigated and reported upon. Abrams Archaeology have the expertise and experience to help you spot where such landscapes exist, and where they have been assigned special status. We can spot this risk together and plan ahead. We are used to scoping works on such landscapes – what is needed? What would the impact of your development be? For example, solar farms with many hundred small piles have a totally different depth and scale of impact to aggregate extraction.

 

• Outreach and education

The NPPF sets out the need for public benefit to be delivered through the Planning System. Archaeology is expected to contribute to this and is well placed to do so. The educational benefits are well established and there is s role for the public to view, learn and on occasion take part in archaeological activities. This can have benefits for a enhancing a sense of place and in pulling a community into a development in a positive way.

 

When handled appropriately, safely and with some interesting archaeological material, outreach and education work can be very positive for a developer. There can be a requirement written into a scope of work on occasion and when it is, we are well able to organise and manage the following types of outreach:

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• Open day on site (with proper supervision and safety precautions)

• A presentation in a neutral space on the results of works

• An exhibition organised after works are complete

 

• Human remains on development sites

There are known burial grounds and there are also many unknown burials and burial grounds. In towns it is not uncommon for the limits of a churchyard to have shifted over time. This can mean that excavations ‘near’ a churchyard can reveal burials associated with it, even though that work is within a residential back garden, car-park or similar.

 

Human remains have legal protection and while they have archaeological interest, there are specific ways of dealing with them when they are disturbed by development work. We are fluent in the procedures which must be followed and in the processes which are needed in order to properly record and remove human remains so they are treated with dignity and moved, or protected in-situ where appropriate.

 

• BIM

We understand where archaeology sits within the wider project aims on larger, complex schemes. We are familiar with the role which data capture can feed into BIM models. This can be useful prior to the development starting and during its construction phase. Clash detection and resolution are where we look to add value on such schemes.

 

• Religious buildings and cemeteries

We are experienced in the proper handling of archaeological works within religious buildings and within their grounds.  There are a diverse range of attitudes towards burial and the access and changes which can be made to these special buildings and burial grounds.

 

Enabling a development is certainly possible and we have successfully done so on many occasions. There are very specific procedures to follow and can be huge sensitivity amongst the public. Let us help you to navigate these and get the balance and approach right.  

 

• Basement Developments

We are experienced in scoping and managing working in basements. Whether it is the basement being excavated or underpinning works we have the knowledge you need. This is a popular construction project at present, especially in urban areas such as parts of London. The depth of archaeological remains in London in particular can mean that significant archaeological deposits exist below and to the side of existing basements. We can guide you as to the areas of towns where this may be an issue, we can also explain how this is best dealt with. Get in touch via the website - we will be pleased to help.

 

• Hoards and Treasure on development and agricultural sites

Often the moment when archaeology grabs a headline; it can be exciting and of great human interest to have valuable finds on a site; this also brings responsibility. There is a legal framework around this area and what constitutes a coin hoard and what is considered to be treasure are very specifically delineated categories. We are highly experienced in handling this for you and your team. We understand the need for a methodical approach to the recording and removal of these valuable finds and the need to capture the surrounding context. This secures the archaeological (knowledge) value; which is a key task.

 

We can also handle the external interest from the press and public. We are fluent in the procedures around the recording of such finds (with the authorities) and the need to get these things right (and reduce the risk of costly discussions over ownership at a later date).

 

• Post-Excavation assessment, analysis publication and archiving works

Once an investigation finishes, most archaeological conditions require a level of reporting. This can fall into relatively short grey literature/commercial reports or it can mean two stage processes which require assessment and reflection on research priorities (Stage 1) followed by analysis and publication (Stage 2).

 

Our team are familiar with all stages. We have a wide network of specialist contractors to call upon, and we have staff with decades of experience writing and editing such text. We can control budget and quality on your behalf. At the right points we can ensure local planning authorities are informed and that conditions can be recorded as fulfilled.

 

• Research

Archaeological work involves research as a first stage. We work from the known. This means we have huge experience with online and archive/library services. These skills we can use in various ways to the advantage of clients. There are the contributions to our core products (archaeological and heritage assessments). There are also other uses. We can assist clients who are researching for:

Preparation of a historical book, novel or film

Researching their house history

Enhancements to Family history works where that involves understanding the landscape and social background of a place

Preparation of presentation boards about a building, street or other location

 

• Land boundary reports

On occasion, it can be necessary to determine where land boundaries stood in the past and whether they have shifted. Examples being the need to trace the boundary of a burial ground, or the line of a historic hedgerow. Sometimes rights of way need to be determined.

 

Whether it is establishing a field boundary, footpath/right of way or determining the extent of common land in the past. We are adept at using maps and modern mapping software in order to trace and depict land boundaries.

 

• Hedgerow Survey

Hedgerows are protected by law (The Hedgerow Regulations 1997). We are able to use historic mapping and field survey to trace, depict and examine hedgerows. In this way, we can help our clients recognise when they have a perimeter boundary or internal boundary which falls within the definition of a historic hedgerow. In parts of the UK this can have very important implications for developers. Early recognition is encouraged.

 

Once recognised then masterplanning can often make a positive from this information. They key is to recognise the issue early.