Glossary of Terms used in Archaeology and Development

Note: All spellings are generally accepted English usage.

Appraisal
A rapid reconnaissance of site and records to identify (within the planning framework) whether a development proposal has a potential archaeological dimension requiring further clarification.

Archaeology
The study of the development of the human species and its environment through their material remains.

Artefact
An object or part of an object which has been used or altered in some way by human interference and forms part of the cultural or economic remains human development.

Brief
An outline framework of the archaeological situation which has to be addressed together with an indication of the scope of works that will be required.

Client
The individual or organisation commissioning and funding the project.

Consultant archaeologist
An expert who will give objective and independent advice to the applicant/developer on the basis of professional standards. Their work often entails seeking the best solution for their client through negotiation with the planning archaeologist.

Contractor
A person or organisation commissioned to undertake archaeological research and fieldwork usually to a brief set by a planning archaeologist.

County archaeologist
The archaeologist employed by the County Council as the curatorial archaeologist responsible for that local government area. Local government archaeologists may also be appointed at District and Unitary Authority levels. These other hers of local government may also be catered for by the County Archaeologist and associated staff, either directly or indirectly. The County Archaeologist is always available for advice on any archaeological matter in the County and is responsible for the Sites and Monuments Record.

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Curatorial archaeologist
An archaeologist with direct responsibility for the management of the archaeological resource. The work of such organisations and individuals is largely one of cultural resource management. Such people as the County Archaeologist, planning archaeologists, Sites and Monuments Record staff, English Heritage and RCHME staff would be included in this category. (See also Planning archaeologist)

Desk-based assessment (Desk-top study)
An assessment of the known or potential archaeological resource within a specified area or site on land or underwater, consisting of a collation of existing written and graphic 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.

Ecofact
The physical material which forms the evidence for the study of the interaction between the environmental setting of the locality of archaeological interest and the human exploitation taking place in the locality (see Environmental Archaeology).

Environmental archaeology
The study of the interaction between the environmental setting of the locality of archaeological interest and the human exploitation taking place within the locality. This is achieved through the study of soils and sediments, macroscopic and microscopic plant and animal remains both on site and as a resource base in the locality as well as accompanying geomorphic and biological changes in the landscape.

Excavation
A programme of controlled, intrusive fieldwork with defined research objectives which examines and records archaeological deposits, features and structures and, as appropriate, retrieves artefacts, ecofacts and other remains within a specified area or site (on land 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 and in the light of findings.

Field evaluation
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 or underwater. If such archaeological remains are present Field Evaluation defines their character and extent, and relative quality; and it enables assessment of their worth in a local, regional, national or international context as appropriate.

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Planning archaeologist
A person or organisation responsible for the conservation and management of archaeological evidence by virtue of official or statutory duty, including for example County or District Archaeological Officers and staff of national bodies such as English Heritage. Some authorities employ personnel known as community archaeologists who undertake planning archaeology work as well as promoting the wider value of archaeology in society.

Project design
A written statement on the project's objectives, methods, timetable and resources; providing the framework for the execution of the project, set out in sufficient detail to be quantified, costed, implemented and monitored. This would normally be prepared by an archaeologist or organisation undertaking the fieldwork, frequently in response to a brief or specification.

Research archive
Derived from the work done during the analysis phase the research archive will comprise: stratigraphical/structural, artefact, environmental and other catalogues and all other records as well as details of the methods and selection strategies used.

Site archive
This will contain all the data gathered during fieldwork and must be quantified, ordered, indexed and internally consistent. It represents the original record of the project's results.

Sites and monuments record (SMR)
A database (usually computerised) of all archaeological sites and findspots from a given area, usually a county, maintained by the County Council, and adopted by formal resolution.

Specification
A written schedule of works required for a particular project (by a curator, planning archaeologist or client), set out in sufficient detail to be quantified, costed, implemented and monitored. Normally prepared by or agreed with the relevant curator.

Watching brief
A formal programme of observation and investigation conducted during any operation carried out for non-archaeological reasons within a specified area or site on land or underwater, 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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