LOOKING AHEAD ACCURATELY
Mapping archaeological risks in time is of great importance concerning the development of a research area. EARTH focuses on the accurate execution of risk analyzes. This prevents the project from being interrupted due to the unexpected discovery of archaeological finds.
With our Heritage Risk Assessment, developers, builders, governments and other market parties get the necessary insight faster and at lower cost to build on a location without archaeological restrictions.
The Heritage Risk Assessment consists of:
• QUICK RESEARCH SCAN
• DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT
• NON-PENETRATIVE SURVEY
• GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
• LANDSCAPE RECONSTRUCTION
• PRESERVATION IN-SITU
• EXCAVATION
QUICK RESEARCH SCAN
By performing a quick scan, we can provide insight into the archaeological risk of a plan area at an early stage of planning. Based on the results of the quick scan, a recommendation is issued in which we indicate whether there is a restriction, how great the risk is that there are archaeological remains in the soil and how you can best deal with these risks.
DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT
For planning areas suspected of the presence of archaeological remains, a desk-based assessment investigation is first carried out. EARTH sets up an archaeological expectation model for a location by studying historical, geological and archaeological data of an area. The desk-based assessment results in an archaeological expectation that shows what risk archaeological remains present for your project.
NON-PENETRATIVE SURVEY
Exploratory research is focused on reconstructing the landscape and identifying (risky!) locations for archaeological sites. For this we use drilling research, geophysical research and geo-archaeological assessments.
GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
To gain more insight into ancient landscapes, soil condition and the risk of finding archaeological remains in large areas, EARTH conducts geoarchaeological assessments. A geo-archaeological assessment is a method that is strongly focused on assigning an archaeological valuation of landscapes. Necessary data for this will be obtained through the use of a broad spectrum (multi-proxy) for earth-scientific and biologically related research methods (multi-proxy analysis: drilling, dating, pollen analysis, botanical macro-residues, diatoms, foraminifera, molluscs and ostracodes).
LANDSCAPE RECONSTRUCTION
In addition to inventory field research, we also use landscape reconstruction for area development. This allows us to integrate historical value into spatial planning and thus create social added value.
PRESERVATION IN-SITU
If the inventory investigation shows conservative archeology within the plan area, then it should, in principle, be preserved in situ in accordance with the Monuments and Historic Buildings Act. However, because building plans often cannot be modified and the site cannot be preserved, the site must be investigated by means of an archaeological excavation. This excavation can, however, be kept to a minimum by our unique approach. If a modification of the building plans is possible, the site must be stored in the ground in the best possible way.
EXCAVATION
Only when it is not possible to find a suitable solution for preservation in situ (preserving the archaeological site), will it be necessary in some cases to carry out an excavation. Prior to an excavation, a Program of Requirements is drawn up in which EARTH will limit the risks for the client as much as possible. We perform efficient excavations in which clear research goals and the intended result are established in advance.