Geoarchaeology
Geoarchaeological investigation may be independent of, precede or take place during archaeological excavation. The term covers all aspects of interpreting archaeological and natural sediments, encompassing the design and execution of augering surveys, site-call-outs and post-excavation analysis.
Links with palaeoenvironmental and sedimentological specialists ensure we have the means to report on past sediments from almost any urban or rural situation.
We use geoarchaeological techniques:
- To locate and recover evidence of past landscapes. In floodplain and marshy land excavation is unlikely to be as effective as augering work in mapping historic land surfaces
- To establish the nature of buried sediments and predict where archaeological deposits will be found; this can be especially valuable where the archaeology is deeply buried, where sediments are wet or where contamination precludes more conventional techniques
- To target areas of complete excavation on archaeologically productive areas; this can be a cost effective means of reducing excavation requirements
- As an alternative to archaeological evaluation where access to the buried sediments is difficult (e.g. where buildings are still in use)
- To answer specific archaeological research questions, for instance mapping past migrations of the Thames tidal head.
We are available to advise on, sample and analyse archaeological and natural sediments encountered during any form of excavation, providing rapid feedback on their interpretation together with recommendations for further sampling strategies where appropriate.
More information
For further information contact, Nick Bateman, Sophie Jackson, or Chris Thomas, on 020 7410 2200.
Read our geoarchaeology capability statement