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In 1996 EH commissioned a study of engineering techniques for the mitigation of the impact on archaeological remains of construction causing ground disturbance during the development or redevelopment of sites in England. The project is being undertaken by Hunting Technical Services Ltd and Cambridge Archaeological Unit and is now nearing completion. A report will provide an easy to understand guide to engineering techniques and mitigation strategies for use by planners, architects, developers, statutory undertakers, and others, supported by an appendix listing the technical specifications and constraints associated with each of the engineering techniques identified in the guide. The study will also create a database detailing archaeological mitigation strategies (excluding archaeological excavation) undertaken in England since 1980.
The development of sites generally comprises four main stages of construction activity. Stage 1 is a pre-construction investigation to collect site specific data, this usually involves a desk study followed by ground investigation. Stage 2 comprises various pre-construction activities which prepare the site for stage 3, the actual construction. On completion of the development there is often a need for post-construction maintenance (stage 4). During each of these stages different engineering techniques may involve direct or indirect ground disturbance which is likely to cause an alteration to the physical, chemical, or biological environment. In situ preservation of buried archaeological deposits results from generally stable site specific ground conditions, and any ground disturbance could therefore cause the degradation and ultimate loss of these deposits. Engineering techniques used during these four stages have been carefully detailed to include a description of operational methodology including equipment (plant) required, their purpose or function to the engineer, frequency of use, operational limitations and advantages, and an assessment of their impact on near-surface deposits. The potentially negative role that each engineering technique has on buried archaeology (ie ground disturbance) is summarised, and the actual and potential archaeological intervention associated with each stage is also categorised.
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The role that engineers and archaeologists can play in designing and implementing mitigation strategies, to reduce or remove the impact of the engineering technique on any in situ archaeological remains is critical. Different engineering techniques are used in different circumstances to excavate boreholes, and engineers and archaeologists must enter into a dialogue if the impact of collecting geo-technical information on underlying archaeological deposits is to be minimised; this requires agreement about which engineering technique to use, and when, and the number, location, and depth of each borehole.
As well as producing a guide for use by planners and other interested parties, the study also aims to identify gaps and weaknesses in current knowledge and monitoring procedures. Although PPG-16 emphasises the importance of archaeology in the planning process, it is important to ensure that if developments are to include a proper mitigation strategy to achieve minimal impact of construction on buried deposits, then archaeologists must be regularly and closely involved, with clearly defined responsibilities, throughout all the stages of a site's development, from the earliest pre-construction initiation and design onwards, and including the definition of site preparation works and construction methodologies.
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