Pre-Construct Archaeology
IFA Registered Archaeological Organisation
Pre-Construct Archaeology Limited is proud to have achieved the criteria enabling it to become a Registered Archaeological Organisation at the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA). Being an RAO means that we are committed to maintaining professional and ethical standards and that our clients can commission work with confidence.
The IFA states:
The Institute maintains a register of organisations committed to meeting IFA standards with regard to quality of archaeological work, employment practices, contributions to community benefits and development of the archaeological profession. The Register is a rigorous Quality Assurance scheme for archaeologists and Users of the services of an IFA-registered organisation can commission work with confidence. There is no equivalent QA system in archaeology. The registration scheme provides a procedure for handling complaints. We will investigate, and take action if necessary.
The IFA has defined the major categories of archaeological works and it is to these broad definitions that Pre-Construct Archaeology directs itself. The IFA definitions are set out below.
Desk Based Assessments
‘The definition of archaeological desk based assessment is a programme of assessment of the known or potential archaeological resource within a specified area or site on land, inter-tidal zone or under water. It consists of a collation of existing written, graphic, photographic and electronic information in order to identify the likely character, extent, quality and worth of the known or potential archaeological resource in a local, regional, national or international context as appropriate.’
Evaluations
‘The definition of an archaeological field evaluation is a limited programme of non-intrusive and / or intrusive fieldwork which determines the presence or absence of archaeological, features, structures, deposits, artefacts or ecofacts within a specified area or site on land, inter-tidal zone or underwater. If such archaeological remains are present field evaluations are present field evaluation defines their character, extent, quality and preservation, and enables an assessment of their worth in a local, regional, national, or international context as appropriate.’
Excavations
‘The definition of archaeological excavation is a programme of controlled, intrusive fieldwork with defined research objectives which examines, records and interprets archaeological deposits, features and structures and, as appropriate, retrieves artefacts, ecofacts and other remains within a specified area or site on land, inter-tidal zone or underwater. The records made and objects gathered during fieldwork are studied and the results of that study published in detail appropriate to the project design.’
Watching Briefs
‘The definition of an archaeological watching brief is a formal programme of observation and investigation conducted during any operation carried out for non-archaeological reasons. This will be within a specified area or site on land, inter-tidal zone or under water, where there is a possibility that archaeological deposits may be disturbed or destroyed. The programme will result in the preparation of a report and ordered archive.’
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