Archaeological evaluation trenching is commonly used to test parcels of land for the survival of archaeological remains, and to assist in establishing their significance and condition of preservation. It is usually undertaken as part of the pre-application phase of development and can be helpful with establishing the archaeological costs and managing the risk associated with developing a given site. We undertake evaluation trenching throughout the UK on rural and urban sites ranging from deep, confined urban building plots to large brownfield and greenfield development sites of several hundred hectares. We accurately position and georeference our trenches, excavating them quickly, efficiently and safely thereby minimising cost and time spent on site.
We aim to undertake our trenching based on a targeted, question-led approach so as to provide only the essential information necessary to inform a planning decision or discharge a planning condition, rather than percentage sampling areas which can give erroneous results and cost more. Used in combination with some of our unique field techniques, such as our landscape-scale geochemical survey or our state of the art multi-spectral and high resolution drone surveys, it is possible to reduce trenching quantums and to use these other, more rapid, techniques to more comprehensively evaluate a proposed development site. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak to one of our specialists to help tailor the right approach for you.