Watching Brief
We carry out watching briefs as a strategy for mitigation on sites with low archaeological potential. A watching brief may be deemed the appropriate approach under a planning condition where previous archaeological evaluation or desk-based assessment indicates full-scale excavation is not warranted.
Our watching brief supervisors are experienced commercial archaeologists, skilled in monitoring construction work and recording archaeological and built heritage evidence rapidly, using appropriate techniques.
During a watching brief we monitor groundworks by the construction team, without interrupting their progress. Our experienced supervisors work closely with groundwork contractors to ensure that site progress is maintained. We make rapid yet informed decisions about archaeology exposed during construction work and, where appropriate, employ a rapid recording process to capture data efficiently.