We have been working hard over the last few months to ensure our projects on site and office based follow the COVID-19 guidance set by the Welsh Assembly and UK Government. Our method statements and risk assessments have been re-written with new working procedures.
The Government directive that construction sites are encouraged to remain open where safe to do so has meant that our on-site projects have gradually increased over the last two months. We will continue to react to the changing COVID-19 guidance as it is published and will always prioritise the health and safety of our staff, clients and their families.
We have been undertaking an increased number of desk based assessments as well as settings assessments and ASIDOHLS. Our largest site project is at HS2 in west London and other site work has been undertaken across the UK including Shropshire, Devon, Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Lincoln and Cumbria. The post-excavation work including sample processing, sorting and finds processing has been undertaken in a temporary office set up in Treforest where our permanent office is being dried out, repaired and refurbished following the floods in February.
We are contactable by all our contact details on our website should you have any enquiries we can help with.
Rowena Hart – Regional Director
Temporary Post Excavation Processing Unit set up in South Wales
May saw the launch of our temporary post excavation set-up in the car park of our flood affected offices, while essential renovation takes place.
We are now able to process finds and environmental samples at pre-flood capacity, under strict COVID-19 mitigating conditions. The post excavation team has been working hard to keep up with demand from a number of current sites, assisted by some surprisingly persistent sunshine in South Wales.
Geophysics in Shropshire
Members of the Archaeology England field team have been out conducting geophysics in Shropshire to assess the archaeological potential of earthworks identified within an area of proposed development.
The results will assist in determining the character and extent of features beneath the surface of the ground and inform on any further mitigation that might be needed. All operations were carried out with COVID-19 mitigation in place.
AW/AE Professional Placement
Our professional placement student Lucy from the University of Manchester is now approaching the end of her year with us and is featured in this video by the university, talking about her experiences with us:
In 2019 the Department of Archaeology at the University of Manchester introduced a new 4 year archaeology degree programme to include a year’s professional placement. We were approached by the university and agreed to provide an opportunity to allow for a student to undertake a paid placement, adhering to the CIfA approved training scheme that is followed by all trainees who join Archaeology Wales and Archaeology England.
During the last year Lucy has successfully completed the training scheme and has progressed to site assistant, which is a great achievement and a credit to her hard work and dedication throughout her time with us. She has worked on numerous projects for both Archaeology Wales and Archaeology England, providing a breadth of archaeological experience across different periods and regions.
Of her time with us, Lucy says:
“I have enjoyed my placement year at Archaeology Wales and Archaeology England for lots of reasons. Working with a great team has undoubtedly made my experience here more enjoyable. Travelling to different areas of the country has also been a highlight. Overall, the variety of projects we get to work on has meant that every day has been different and exciting.”
We wish Lucy every success in the closing stages of her placement and going forward into the final year of her degree.