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About Archaeology Warwickshire
Archaeology Warwickshire was formerly the Warwickshire Museum Archaeology Projects Group. The WMAPG was the last incarnation of the County Museum’s field archaeology service which has operated since the 1960s.
Since the late 1980s we have traded as a commercial provider of archaeological services to private developers, statutory bodies, local individuals and community groups for the benefit of local people, local businesses and the historic environment.
We are the primary contributor to the Warwickshire Historic Environment Record and the results of our work form the core of what is known about Warwickshire’s ancient past.
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We deliver cost effective archaeological and heritage service solutions to the private and public sector’s throughout the midlands.
Our experts in archaeological excavation and survey, historic buildings and landscapes, have unmatched knowledge and experience of our core area.
With over 30 years in this business, we can handle any size of project and we have all the pieces in place to deliver what you need on time and to budget.
We are backed by a host of heritage and culture professionals enabling us to devise and implement first-class community engagement and place-making projects, offering original and stimulating outreach and publicity, as well as strategic guidance and training for community projects throughout Warwickshire and beyond.
We are an Institute for Archaeologists Registered Organisation and have an extensive network of specialist experts on hand when we need them and if things get hectic we can mobilise a pool of CSCS certified relief staff to make sure your deadline is met.
- Heritage asset assessment
- Desk-based assessment
- Evaluation
- Watching brief
- Historic building assessment and recording
- Excavation and survey
- Consultancy
- Outreach and publicity
- Archaeological illustration
- Community archaeology
Heritage asset assessment
Recent Government Guidance for Planning in the Historic Environment (PPS5) requires applicants to provide a description of the significance of any heritage assets affected by their development proposals. A Heritage Impact Assessment will be required to provide the local planning authority with enough information to understand the impact of the proposals.
We are heritage asset professionals with the expertise you need, so why not give us a call?
Desk-based assessment
A desk-based archaeological assessment may be required when submitting a planning application, as part of an Environmental Statement, or as the first stage of archaeological work under a planning condition. It needs to consider the previous archaeological work in the area, historic maps and documentary evidence, and also recent data such as geotechnical surveys.
We would be happy to talk to you about your assessment needs.
Evaluation
An evaluation is designed to establish whether archaeological remains are present on a site, and enable an assessment of their importance to be made.
We carry out evaluations from single trenches on house extensions to fieldwalking, geophysics and multiple trenches on large developments and quarry sites. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
- Trial trenching
- Test pitting
- Surface survey
- Geophysical survey
- Metal detecting survey
- Geoarchaeology
Watching brief
A watching brief is often a condition of development. It usually involves an archaeologist on site to monitor any ground reduction, the excavation of foundation and service trenches, and increasingly, landscaping.
We can provide the rapid response which is necessary to fit in with your contractor’s programme.
Historic building assessment and recording
Investigation of the fabric of a historic building may be required to establish its age and significance, so that the planning authority can decide whether it should be retained or whether its demolition or alteration is acceptable.
Whether you are carrying out work on a timber-framed house, a barn conversion, a church, industrial building, Cold War bunker, or any other historic standing structure, we would be pleased to discuss your requirements.
- Historic Building Assessment
- Historic Building Recording
- Conservation management
- Church Archaeology
- Watching Brief – monitoring groundworks and site stripping
- Excavation – based on a pre-agreed Written Scheme of Investigation
Excavation and survey
When planning permission is granted for a development which impacts on significant archaeological remains, there will usually be a requirement for an archaeological excavation before the development commences.
Whether it be a domestic garage, 100ha of gravel quarry, or a deep and complex site in a city centre, we can provide a competitive service tailored to your development programme.
Consultancy
It can be important to consider the implications for both historic assets and the development plans from the earliest stage. Complicated developments, or historically important sites such as Scheduled Ancient Monuments, can require detailed consideration.
Including us in your project team from the outset will mean that you have expert input on the historic environment to guide you through the various regulatory procedures, and help avoid unexpected pitfalls – and potentially wasted expense.
- Advice
- Risk management
- Conservation Management
- Cultural heritage impact assessment
- Cost-conscious project design
- Desk-based assessment
- Mitigation strategies
- Building surveys
Outreach and publicity
PPS5 actively requires developers to consider the wider public benefit of work on heritage assets and also how any resulting investigation may contribute to a deeper sense of place and community identity.
We have extensive expertise in both outreach, and public relations on behalf of our clients and can include provision for the interest of local communities, special interest groups, schools, and others. Our close links with the County Museum, Heritage Education, Record Office and County Arts Service enable us to provide an imaginative and integrated service.
- Public relations and media coverage
- Accessing local communities
- Special interest groups
- Schools
- Place-making
Archaeological illustration
Our skilled Illustrator can provide graphics for limited-circulation internal or client reports, formal publications and exhibition displays.
We specialise in all types of artefact illustration, from small items of jewellery to flint, pottery and metalwork, right up to life-size stone statues and carvings.
- Artefact illustration
- Publication drawings
- Publicity illustration
Community archaeology
Many local groups and communities are interested in exploring and researching their historic environment and only lack the experience and expertise to drive a project forward. We can provide the project management, training and academic rigour you will need to acquire community funding.
If you need an expert speaker at your local group or club, archaeology training and supervision for school age and adult courses, or are thinking of applying for external funding, the team can help you.
- Project Management
- Training
- Academic management
- Speakers