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Archaeological Assessment
(developer & land/house-owner)
Archaeological Assessment (IGSS)
IGSS uses desktop and field survey techniques to solve your problems.
Those with land or wishing to buy rural land and hoping to develop it, whether land owners, farmers, house owners or small developers (along with their agents and architects) need to know that their developments avoid areas where archaeological monuments are known to exist or are likely to exist. This is far more difficult than it is usually thought to be, but it is important that they are identified and "avoided" in development plans, not just to preserve our heritage, but also to save lengthy delays in the planning and development processes
Many archaeological monuments are not marked on Ordnance Survey maps and there are probably more unrecorded field monuments hidden below apparently flat ground than have been recorded.
It may seem to many that once a field monument is flattened, it is gone and can be forgotten. This is by no means the case as much of the most important dating evidence, for example, is at the bottom of a now filled-in ditch. Archaeologists seek information on which to build (mental) models of the past (not treasure as some may think). Experience has shown that often the breakthroughs in our understanding of the past come from the most unlikely sources.
So, planning your developments to avoid archaeological impacts makes good sense for all. IGSS can first show you which areas have recorded archaeology and secondly indicate where other archaeology might be expected to be found. This leaves you will a lower risk area for your development. If it becomes necessary, IGSS can employ specialists to do geophysical surveys, test trenches, monitor topsoil removal or do a full emergency excavation to "preserve by record" in the event that unexpected archaeology surfaces during development (if permitted by the planning authorities).
IGSS offers a complete archaeological impact assessment service from a preliminary or investigative assessment through formal archaeological assessment to full-scale archaeological or environmental research.
Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI)
Irish Organisation for Geographical Information (IRLOGI)
Irish Institution of Surveyors
Association for Environmental Archaeology
Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
Archaeology & Development: Guidelines for Good Practice for Developers