This large conch shell was recently found in a 19th- or early 20th-century deposit at a site in Shadwell, E1W. It’s been identified as a Giant Spider Conch (Lambis truncata truncata), a subspecies found in the tropical and subtropical Indian Ocean. At 34cm long, this specimen is close to the species’ maximum size of around 40cm.
Large exotic shells like this have been collected for centuries, valued as souvenirs and decorative items. In Victorian Britain, there was a particular enthusiasm for shell collecting, then known as conchology, which became a fashionable hobby and decorative trend. Some collections were modest, others extravagant, including the shell grottoes found in the gardens of country houses and seaside resorts. While many used locally sourced shells, the growing reach of empire and trade networks meant exotic specimens became increasingly accessible by the 19th century.
The location of the find, close to the East End docks, suggests a few possibilities. It could have been a memento from a sailor, or part of a domestic collection. Charles Jamrach, a well-known dealer in exotic animals and curiosities, ran a shop on nearby St George Street (now The Highway). Alongside live creatures, he sold shells and other natural specimens to satisfy Victorian tastes for the exotic.
Pre-Construct Archaeology is one of UK’s largest archaeological companies, with seven regional offices across the country. We have been delivering professional heritage services for more than 30 years, working on some of the largest and most complex sites in Britain.
We are looking to recruit an Archives and Finds Officer, based in our London offices.
The role is suitable for someone with some experience in Finds and Archiving. PCA offers a competitive salary and a range of attractive employee benefits, including a pay banding structure that allows for career progression. All successful candidates will undergo a probationary 3-month period after which, given satisfactory performance, they will be offered a further contract, work permitting.
About the job:
Location: Brockley, London and site work where required
Working week: Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week, usually 8:30am – 5:00pm
Salary range: From £30,517.09 to £34,313.06 (depending on experience)
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The Role:
We are looking for a candidate to undertake the following responsibilities:
Assist with the administration, processing, and preparation of finds and environmental material.
Assist with preparation of finds archives for PCA’s London offices.
Assist with logging finds and environmental archives as they arrive in London, and tracking their status and location as they are processed and deposited.
Liaise with external specialists as required.
Liaise with other finds stores, archive repositories and museums to make sure the archives (both physical and digital) are deposited in the appropriate manner.
Ensure the correct processing, packing and labelling of artefacts protection of artefacts.
Ensure that all artefacts, ecofacts and archives are stored appropriately and securely.
Undertake operations in accordance with CIfA Code of Conduct and adhere to their standards and guidance.
Essential Requirements:
Degree in Archaeology or related subject (e.g. History, Classics, Geology etc.)
Knowledge and experience in the preparation and deposition of physical and digital archives
Experience working on archaeological sites
Excellent oral and written English
Excellent communication skills
Basic maths skills
Knowledge/experience in using and creating spreadsheets
Knowledge/experience of administration procedures
Experience in accurate record-keeping
Willingness to learn new skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent punctuality and timekeeping
Attention to detail
Commitment to PCA’s health and safety policies at all times
Eligible to live and work in the UK
Desirable:
Current UK Driving Licence
Our employee benefits:
Friendly and supportive work environment
28 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and an extra 3 days for Christmas, if employed over the Christmas period), rising on service length
£22.50 per night subsistence when working away from home and high-quality accommodation provided
High quality PPE and site welfare provision– the safety of our staff always comes first
Mental Health First Aiders
Cycle to work scheme
Flexible working
Christmas vouchers
H&S training relevant for your role will be provided and paid in full (SSSTS, First Aid, Asbestos Awareness, CAT and Genny etc.)
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIFA) subscriptions paid in full
Paid mileage if using own vehicle (subject to eligibility)
Annual appraisal and pay progression opportunities
Company pension scheme
How to apply: Please email your CV and covering letter to Ruta Jatkonyte, HR & Recruitment Officer: RJatkonyte@pre-construct.comPlease state on your application which role you are applying for and describe your suitability by referring to the requirements listed above. If successful you will be asked to attend an interview at our Brockley offices.
PCA is committed to a comprehensive equal opportunities policy in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities without regard to race, religion or belief, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. All applicants with the relevant qualifications and experience are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Please be advised that you must hold the right to work and live in the UK in order to apply for this job.
PCA follow all current guidelines regarding SOP and take the safety of our staff as paramount – advice is up to date with government guidance and site-specific RAMS are available.
Please be advised we are expecting a high volume of applications, and therefore cannot commit to responding to all emails. In accordance with our GDPR policy, we will not keep unsuccessful applicants’ details or CVs on our system, unless you expressly request that we do.
This week’s #FindsFriday is a Mesolithic tranchet axe from a site near Chichester.
Tranchet axes were essential tools in the Mesolithic, used for woodworking and other daily tasks. This one was found in a pit beside four parallel curvilinear features dating to the Early Bronze Age.
The site revealed evidence of thousands of years of activity, with features from the Neolithic through to the Roman period. Among the Early Iron Age remains were structures, a large posthole and ditch enclosure, and a well. A landscape shaped and reshaped over time, with this axe as a small trace of its earliest inhabitants.
This week’s #FindsFriday is a silver fibula brooch from a Roman rubbish pit in Gloucestershire. The same pit yielded a wealth of finds, including Roman pottery, animal bone, and ceramic building material, alongside a small copper alloy pin and two pieces of copper alloy wire. Initially, patches of verdigris from the copper objects clung to the brooch’s surface, leading us to believe it was copper alloy too. But to our delight, a gentle clean with a dry brush revealed the silver beneath!
Pre-Construct Archaeology is one of UK’s largest archaeological companies, with seven regional offices across the country. We have been delivering professional heritage services for more than 30 years, working on some of the largest and most complex sites in Britain. As we continue into 2025, we are undertaking some very exciting projects in the Newark region.
We are looking to recruit staff immediately at the following levels: Trainees and Archaeologists. PCA offers a competitive salary and a range of attractive benefits, including a pay banding structure that allows for career progression. All successful candidates will undergo a probationary 3-month period (6-months for trainees) after which, given satisfactory performance, they will be offered a further contract, work permitting.
About the job:
Location: Newark
Working week: Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week, usually 8am – 4 pm
Start Date: As soon as possible.
Salary range:
Archaeologists – starting at £25,989.71
Trainee– £23,903.03 per annum
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General Requirements for all the following positions:
Degree in Archaeology or related subject (e.g. History, Classics, Geology etc.)
Ability and willingness to work on site in all kinds of weather
Excellent oral and written English, basic maths skills are essential
Willingness to learn new skills
Good teamwork
Excellent punctuality and timekeeping
Attention to detail
Commitment to PCA’s health and safety policies at all times
Eligible to live and work in the UK
Archaeologists Responsibilities:
Excavation of archaeological features and deposits
Collection and labelling of artefacts
Writing context sheets for archaeological features and deposits, drawing plans and sections to scale, on site photography and basic survey using a GPS unit
Collection and processing of environmental samples
Post-excavation office work (occasionally required) including washing, marking and labelling finds, archiving site records
Minimum requirements:
3 months of commercial fieldwork experience from the UK
Preferred:
Full clean UK driving license and willingness to drive company vehicles
Trainees Responsibilities (you will receive training in the following) – 6 months:
Excavation of archaeological features and deposits
Collection and labelling of artefacts
Writing context sheets for archaeological features and deposits, drawing plans and sections to scale, on site photography and basic survey using a GPS unit
Collection and processing of environmental samples
Post-ex office work (occasionally required) including washing, marking and labelling finds and archiving site records
Our employee benefits:
Friendly and supportive work environment
28 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and an extra 3 days for Christmas, if employed over the Christmas period), rising on service length
£22.50 per night subsistence when working away from home and high-quality accommodation provided
High quality PPE and site welfare provision– the safety of our staff always comes first
Mental Health First Aiders
Cycle to work scheme
Flexible working
Christmas vouchers
H&S training relevant for your role will be provided and paid in full (SSSTS, First Aid, Asbestos Awareness, CAT and Genny etc.)
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIFA) subscriptions paid in full
Paid mileage if using own vehicle (subject to eligibility)
Annual appraisal and pay progression opportunities
Company pension scheme
How to apply: Please email your CV and covering letter to Caroline Edwards, HR Manager: CEdwards@pre-construct.comPlease state on your application which role you are applying for and describe your suitability by referring to the requirements listed above. If successful you will be asked to attend an interview at our Newark offices.
PCA is committed to a comprehensive equal opportunities policy in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities without regard to race, religion or belief, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. All applicants with the relevant qualifications and experience are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Please be advised that you must hold the right to work and live in the UK in order to apply for this job.
PCA follow all current guidelines regarding SOP and take the safety of our staff as paramount – advice is up to date with government guidance and site-specific RAMS are available.
Please be advised we are expecting a high volume of applications, and therefore cannot commit to responding to all emails. In accordance with our GDPR policy, we will not keep unsuccessful applicants’ details or CVs on our system, unless you expressly request that we do.
PCA has made a remarkable discovery at Monksfields in Cambridgeshire – a Middle Neolithic cremation burial, the first ever recorded on the western Cambridgeshire claylands and only the second known in the county. Such burials remain a rare and poorly recognised phenomenon in the UK.
The cremated remains of two people, an adolescent or adult and a child, were found in a small pit without an urn, grave goods, or visible monument. Radiocarbon dating places the burial between 3364 and 3102 cal. BC (SUERC-130643 (GU69945)), offering a rare insight into life (and death) over 5,000 years ago.
The burial, just below a ridgeline with views over the Fox Brook (a tributary of the River Great Ouse), adds a crucial piece to the puzzle of Neolithic Cambridgeshire. Although it may not look spectacular, it represents a significant shift in our understanding of Neolithic traditions. Increasingly, non-monumental deposits of human remains are recognised as a significant yet underrepresented aspect of Neolithic funerary practices in Britain. A recent study documented just 46 such features across all of mainland Britain, highlighting how rare these discoveries are (Rowland & Thompson 2024).
Pre-Construct Archaeology is one of UK’s largest archaeological companies, with seven regional offices across the country. We have been delivering professional heritage services for more than 30 years, working on some of the largest and most complex sites in Britain. As 2025 progresses, PCA is seeking to recruit an experienced archaeobotanist to join our busy environmental team in London, working alongside our post-excavation team on a range of projects countrywide.
PCA offers a competitive salary and a range of attractive benefits, including a pay banding structure that allows for career progression. The successful candidate will undergo a probationary 3-month period after which, given satisfactory performance, they will be offered a further contract, work permitting.
About the job: Location: Brockley Offices, London Working week: Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week, usually 8:30am – 17:00 pm
Salary range: £31,939.11 – £37,317.07 pro-rata depending on experience, rising in line with PCA’s pay-banding progression structure.
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The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience of identifying waterlogged, charred and mineralised seeds and plant remains and reporting on their significance, ideally to publication level.
This is a full-time post, but part-time working will be considered.
This role is based in our Brockley offices, London. However, we would potentially consider working from one of our regional offices.
Job requirements:
Undertake the assessment and analysis of environmental seeds and plant remains from bulk and specialist samples
Provide advice on environmental sampling strategies, procedures, and processing for sites at all stages of mitigation
Provide advice on post-excavation assessment and analysis strategies pertinent to archaeobotanical remains
Provide advice and basic training in environmental sampling to archaeologists working in the field
Provide specialist archaeobotanical training and mentoring to environmental assistants
Produce cost illustrations for post-excavation processing and specialist reporting
Report on the results of environmental assessment and analysis at post-excavation assessment and publication level
Essential:
Degree level education in Archaeology/Archaeobotany or a relevant subject
Post-graduate qualification in environmental archaeology or related subject
Proven ability to produce reports at assessment level
Experience of managing environmental archaeology projects
Experience of working to agreed budgets
Understanding and knowledge of commercial archaeology within the UK
Understanding and knowledge of single context recording systems
Good communication skills and plenty of enthusiasm
Eligibility to work in the UK
Desirable:
Experience in the production of pollen slides
Experience in the assessment, analysis and subsequent reporting on pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs
Experience in the assessment, analysis and subsequent reporting of other environmental microfossils (e.g. diatoms, foraminifera etc.)
Experience in the identification, assessment, analysis and subsequent reporting of wood charcoal
Experience in the identification of molluscan remains
Full and clean UK driving licence
Demonstrable ability to produce reports to publication level
Our employee benefits:
Friendly and supportive work environment
28 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and an extra 3 days for Christmas, if employed over the Christmas period), rising on service length
£22.50 per night subsistence when working away from home and high-quality accommodation provided
High quality PPE and site welfare provision– the safety of our staff always comes first
Mental Health First Aiders
Cycle to work scheme
Flexible working
Christmas vouchers
H&S training relevant for your role will be provided and paid in full (SSSTS, First Aid, Asbestos Awareness, CAT and Genny etc.)
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIFA) subscriptions paid in full
Paid mileage if using own vehicle (subject to eligibility)
Annual appraisal and pay progression opportunities
Company pension scheme
How to apply: Please email your CV and covering letter to Caroline Edwards, HR Manager: CEdwards@pre-construct.comPlease state on your application which role you are applying for and describe your suitability by referring to the requirements listed above. If successful you will be asked to attend an interview at our Brockley office.
PCA is committed to a comprehensive equal opportunities policy in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities without regard to race, religion or belief, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. All applicants with the relevant qualifications and experience are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Please be advised that you must hold the right to work and live in the UK in order to apply for this job.
PCA follow all current guidelines regarding SOP and take the safety of our staff as paramount – advice is up to date with government guidance and site-specific RAMS are available.
Please be advised we are expecting a high volume of applications, and therefore cannot commit to responding to all emails. In accordance with our GDPR policy, we will not keep unsuccessful applicants’ details or CVs on our system, unless you expressly request that we do.
Pre-Construct Archaeology is one of UK’s largest archaeological companies, with seven regional offices across the country. We have been delivering professional heritage services for more than 30 years, working on some of the largest and most complex sites in Britain. As 2025 progresses, we are undertaking some very exciting projects in the Norwich area and beyond. We are looking to recruit staff at the following levels: Trainee, Archaeologist, Assistant Supervisor, Supervisor and Project Officers for our Norwich office.
PCA offers a competitive salary and a range of attractive benefits, including a pay banding structure that allows for career progression. All successful candidates will undergo a probationary 3-month period (6 months for trainees) after which, given satisfactory performance, they will be offered a further contract, work permitting.
About the job: Location: Norwich Working week: Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week, usually 8am – 4 pm
Salary range:
Project Officer– starting at £34,672.71
Supervisors – starting at £30,094.90
Assistant Supervisors – starting at £28,384.53
Archaeologists – starting at £25,989.71
Trainees – £23,903.03 per annum
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General Requirements for all the following positions:
Degree in Archaeology or related subject (e.g. History, Classics, Geology etc.)
Ability and willingness to work on site in all kinds of weather
Excellent oral and written English, basic maths skills are essential
Willingness to learn new skills
Good teamwork
Excellent punctuality and timekeeping
Attention to detail
Commitment to PCA’s health and safety policies at all times
Eligible to live and work in the UK
Project Officers
Responsibilities (as described for Supervisors, plus the following):
Assisting in the management of projects
Supervision of a variety of sites, including large scale and infrastructure projects
Preparing written account of undertaken field work, including publications, journal articles etc.
Report checking, preparing WSIs, DBAs and RAMS
Regular liaison with clients and contractors
Health and safety responsibilities
Minimum requirements: (as described for Supervisors, plus the following)
Degree in Archaeology or related subject
Full clean UK driving license and willingness to drive company vehicles
Experience in GPS survey
At least five years of field work experience in the UK, including minimum two years of working in a supervisory role
Proven written account of undertaken projects (grey literature reports, desk-based assessments, publications etc)
The successful candidates need to present a high level of self-motivation and discipline
Commitment to PCA’s health and safety policies at all times
Supervisors Responsibilities:
Excavation and recording of archaeological features and deposits to a high quality
Supervision of small teams
Machine watching
Site survey
On site liaison with clients and contractors
Preparing written account of undertaken field work (grey literature reports)
Minimum requirements:
Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining excellent quality of work, mindfulness of project budget
Computer literacy (MS Office package, databases, knowledge of graphic programs such as Auto Cad, QGIS, Illustrator etc. will be advantageous)
Minimum two years of fieldwork experience in the UK
Experience in report writing is desirable but not essential
Experience in GPS surveying is desirable but not essential
Full clean UK driving license and willingness to drive company vehicles (if applying for a Supervisor)
Assistant Supervisors Responsibilities:
Excavation and recording of archaeological features and deposits to a high quality
Supervision of small teams
Machine watching
Site survey
On site liaison with clients and contractors
Preparing written account of undertaken field work (grey literature reports)
Minimum requirements:
Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining excellent quality of work, mindfulness of project budget
Computer literacy (MS Office package, databases, knowledge of graphic programs such as Auto Cad, QGIS, Illustrator etc. will be advantageous)
Minimum two years of fieldwork experience in the UK
Experience in report writing is desirable but not essential
Experience in GPS surveying is desirable but not essential
Full clean UK driving license
Archaeologists Responsibilities:
Excavation of archaeological features and deposits
Collection and labelling of artefacts
Writing context sheets for archaeological features and deposits, drawing plans and sections to scale, on site photography and basic survey using a GPS unit
Collection and processing of environmental samples
Post-excavation office work (occasionally required) including washing, marking and labelling finds, archiving site records
Minimum requirements:
3 months of commercial fieldwork experience from the UK
Trainees Responsibilities (you will receive training in the following) – 6 months :
Excavation of archaeological features and deposits
Collection and labelling of artefacts
Writing context sheets for archaeological features and deposits, drawing plans and sections to scale, on site photography and basic survey using a GPS unit
Collection and processing of environmental samples
Post-ex office work (occasionally required) including washing, marking and labelling finds and archiving site records
Our employee benefits:
Friendly and supportive work environment
28 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and an extra 3 days for Christmas, if employed over the Christmas period), rising on service length
£22.50 per night subsistence when working away from home and high-quality accommodation provided
High quality PPE and site welfare provision– the safety of our staff always comes first
Mental Health First Aiders
Cycle to work scheme
Flexible working
Christmas vouchers
H&S training relevant for your role will be provided and paid in full (SSSTS, First Aid, Asbestos Awareness, CAT and Genny etc.)
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIFA) subscriptions paid in full
Paid mileage if using own vehicle (subject to eligibility)
Annual appraisal and pay progression opportunities
Company pension scheme
How to apply: Please email your CV and covering letter to Caroline Edwards, HR Manager: CEdwards@pre-construct.comPlease state on your application which role you are applying for and describe your suitability by referring to the requirements listed above. If successful you will be asked to attend an interview at our Norwich office.
PCA is committed to a comprehensive equal opportunities policy in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities without regard to race, religion or belief, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. All applicants with the relevant qualifications and experience are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Please be advised that you must hold the right to work and live in the UK in order to apply for this job.
PCA follow all current guidelines regarding SOP and take the safety of our staff as paramount – advice is up to date with government guidance and site-specific RAMS are available.
Please be advised we are expecting a high volume of applications, and therefore cannot commit to responding to all emails. In accordance with our GDPR policy, we will not keep unsuccessful applicants’ details or CVs on our system, unless you expressly request that we do.
PCA is one of UK’s largest archaeological companies, with seven regional offices across the country. We have been delivering professional heritage services for 30 years. We are delighted to announce the opportunity to join our multi-disciplinary team of specialists, as we continue through 2025 with a range of exciting projects across southern England.
We will be looking to recruit an assistant project manager and a project manager to join the Newark team.
PCA offers a competitive salary and a range of attractive employee benefits, including a pay banding structure that allows for career progression.
About the job:
Location: Newark
Working week: Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week, usually 8:30am – 5:00pm (this includes an unpaid 45-minute meal break, provided on Monday to Friday, and a tea break of 15 minutes, the timing of which is to be agreed with your Line/Project Manager and taken on a flexible basis to suit the Company’s operational needs.
Salary range: From £40018.52 per annum, depending on experience
The Role
PCA Newark is looking for an assistant project manager or a project manager who can take on all aspects of running archaeological projects in the commercial sector in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The suitable candidate will have excellent communication and organizational skills, paying attention to detail. Previous experience working in project management is preferable, as well as experience with building and maintaining good relationships with clients, consultants and curators. This role will suit a candidate who has experience of planning, implementing and overseeing archaeological projects, taking into account the health, safety and welfare of all involved.
Essential:
A Degree in Archaeology or a related subject
Excellent knowledge of health and safety procedures, accreditation and documentation
Experience of tendering and managing archaeological projects
Experience of producing Written Schemes of Investigation suitable for varied archaeological environments
Experience of managing post-site reporting, specialists and graphics including for assessment and publication
Experience in overseeing a team and working with our Project Officers, Supervisors and site staff
Ability to plan for and meet deadlines in an efficient manner
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Excellent timekeeping standards
Preferable:
Excellent knowledge of archaeology in the East Midland region
Experience in the regular reporting of project budgets
Experience of using project management software
Clean UK driving license
Employee benefits:
Friendly and supportive work environment
28 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and 3 days for Christmas, if employed over the Christmas period), rising on service length
£22.50 per night subsistence when working away from home (and high-quality accommodation provided)
High quality PPE and site welfare provision– the safety of our staff always comes first
Mental Health First Aiders
Cycle to work scheme
Flexible working, TOIL, possibility of work from home if eligible
Christmas vouchers
H&S training relevant for your role will be provided and paid in full (SMSTS, First Aid, Asbestos Awareness, CAT and Genny etc.)
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) subscriptions paid in full
Paid mileage if using own vehicle (subject to eligibility)
Annual appraisal and progression opportunity
Company pension scheme
PCA is committed to a comprehensive equal opportunities policy in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities without regard to race, religion or belief, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation. All applicants with the relevant qualifications and experience are welcome to apply for this opportunity. Please be advised that you must hold the right to work and live in the UK in order to apply for this job.
Please be advised we are expecting a high volume of applications and therefore cannot commit to responding to all emails. In accordance with our GDPR policy, we will not keep unsuccessful applicants’ details or CVs on our system, unless you expressly request that we do.
To apply please email your CV and covering letter to Caroline Edwards, HR Manager: CEdwards@pre-construct.com. If successful you will be asked to attend an interview at our Newark offices.
The LAMAS (London and Middlesex Archaeology Society) annual conference will be a hybrid event again this year – in person at the Museum of London Docklands, with an option watch the lectures online. It takes place on Saturday 15th March, and tickets are now available here.
Harry Platts will be presenting the results of PCA excavations in Stratford. His talk A Late-Medieval Tannery at Stratford will explore evidence of leather production, from horncores to oak bark, parasite eggs to tanning pits. Harry will outline the development of the tannery, its connection to Stratford’s shifting economy and its ultimate decline in the 16th century. PCA will have a stall at the event if you want to pick up any of our current publications.
In the meantime, you can explore more about the site through these interpretation panels:
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