Frequently Asked Questions

Below we have provided a list of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Conservation Archaeology - you can also find a list of more general FAQs on our Help & FAQs page.

What is Conservation Archaeology?

Conservation Archaeology covers three main areas:

The maintenance and enhancement of an accurate and up to date record of all the known archaeological sites in the area. This is known as the Historic Environment Record.

The provision of advice through the planning system to ensure the protection of archaeological sites.

The provision of advice and expertise to aid in the active conservation of archaeological sites through management and repairs.

Why do we conserve archaeological sites?

Teesside contains a vast wealth of archaeological sites. These range from Bronze Age burial mounds to Victorian blast furnaces. Archaeological remains are highly fragile and extremely vulnerable to damage. These remains contain valuable information about our past and once it has been destroyed it cannot be replaced.

How do we know where archaeological sites are?

The most important tool we have to assist us in our conservation work is the Historic Environment Record. Each known site in the area is listed on a computerised database. The database includes information on all traces of the past from stray finds such as Roman coins to standing structures like medieval castles and churches. We can view the data on the HER with a Geographic Information System or GIS. This is a computerised mapping system on to which we can overlay the distribution of archaeological sites.

What do I do if I discover a new archaeological site?

New sites are discovered every year either by accident or by people looking for them. If you come across an old relic or a stray find please report it to us so that we can add its details to the HER. Recent discoveries by members of the public include the wreck of an early 19th century collier brig at Seaton Carew and a hoard of Bronze Age metalwork found at Throston, Hartlepool.

How can we protect archaeological remains from new developments?

The main threat to archaeological sites is from new developments. Construction such as building a new road, pipeline or housing estate could have major consequences for any archaeological site in its way. In 1990 the Government issued Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning. This sets out the necessity of preserving archaeological remains and the steps developers and local authorities can take to ensure this at all times.

How can we tell which sites should be preserved?

Where nationally important remains exist the guidance stipulates that they must be physically preserved. In some cases nationally important sites will have statutory protection and are known as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. There are over 100 scheduled monuments in the Teesside area. Any works, however minor, which have an impact upon a SAM or its setting will not normally be allowed.

What about important sites that are not Scheduled Ancient Monuments?

PPG 16 states that all nationally important remains 'whether they are Scheduled or not' should be physically preserved. Obviously each site must be assessed on its own merits when it comes to making a decision on its importance. English Heritage may become involved in such cases to arbitrate and advise on the national picture.

Does this mean that an archaeological site can stop a major development?

It is not our intention to prevent development and fossilise the landscape. Our aim is to ensure that proper account is taken of archaeological remains when developers plan a scheme. After all todays developments will at some point be the archaeology of the future. It is true that some developers may see archaeological issues as a nuisance or a problem to be overcome. Increasingly many developers now see archaeology as an opportunity to add character to their development. In preserving sites in situ a whole series of compromise situations are nearly always available. Sympathetic design, either in the layout of the development or by reducing ground disturbance by using less destructive building techniques can often solve any problems to the satisfaction of all parties.

What if we do not know if a site is of national importance?

Many sites are only known from stray finds collected from the surface, documentary records, old maps or as vague humps and bumps in the ground. It is not always possible from this evidence to assess how important a site is and whether or not it should be preserved. Where it is not possible to tell if a site may be of national importance from existing information alone PPG 16 sets out a procedure known as archaeological evaluation. Planning Authorities can request that a developer carries out an evaluation in support of their planning application. An evaluation is a rapid programme of archaeological fieldwork designed to assess the importance of the archaeological remains and the impact of the development upon them. An evaluation may involve some desk-based study of the site, site survey or geophysical survey. At some point in an evaluation it will normally be necessary to open a number of trial trenches to really get to grips with the archaeology.

Who pays for the evaluation?

Unfortunately any archaeological work costs money and this cost must be borne by the developer proposing the scheme. Again this is based on the advice given in PPG 16. Tees Archaeology will provide a brief for the evaluation against which a developer can invite quotations from archaeological contractors. A list of archaeological contractors who have expressed an interest in working in the Teesside area can also be provided by Tees Archaeology.

Can the evaluation be carried out as a planning condition once I have got my planning permission?

The reason for the evaluation is to allow the planning department to make a reasonable decision on whether the development will have a negative impact on important archaeological remains. This could be a key factor in determining the application. If the planning authority do not feel that due consideration has been given to the preservation of important remains they will be minded to refuse the application and this is why the evaluation must be carried out before the planning decision can be made.

What if the remains are not of national importance?

Many evaluations may demonstrate that the archaeological site is not of national importance. For example the site may have been heavily damaged in the past perhaps by agriculture or drainage. In these cases planning permission will normally be granted.

Does this mean the site can be developed without any further archaeological work?

Following the results of the evaluation each site must be assessed on its own merits. If there really is nothing of interest then there is no need for further archaeological work. If there are locally or regionally important remains then the usual course of action is to have them fully recorded before development commences. This will normally entail a fairly major scheme of excavation and recording work. As with evaluation this is at the cost of the developer in accordance with a brief set by the local authority archaeology service. Any further work of this sort is usually safeguarded with a planning condition attached to the application consent.

I have heard of something called a "watching brief" - what is this and is it appropriate to cover every site?

A watching brief involves an archaeological contractor being present on-site during construction. The archaeologist is there to observe and record any finds or features of interest uncovered by the work. We rarely use this technique on larger developments as it can hold up the construction phase of the work considerably unless it can be properly keyed in to the building schedule. Also when a site becomes an active construction zone it is hard to control the passage of heavy plant and vehicles across it which will destroy archaeological remains. It is in the best interest of all parties if the archaeological work is carried out prior to the construction phase and the site given a clean bill of health for development before building commences.

In what circumstances would a watching brief be used?

We often use watching briefs in more speculative circumstances, for example when a pipeline is cutting across kilometres of countryside. Even when archaeological sites are not previously known it is almost certain that larger schemes of this nature will come across some unexpected remains. This type of watching brief would be at the cost of the developer.

I am only planning a small extension to my property but have a "watching brief" planning condition. Can you explain this?

Where development consists of householder applications for extensions to existing property or for new smaller outbuildings it is not always reasonable or desirable to request large scale archaeological work. If your property is in a sensitive area such as a medieval town or village the watching brief is recommended more as a precautionary measure. These watching briefs require the developer to give notice of the start of the work to Tees Archaeology and to allow access to the site. This is carried out as part of our service and at no cost to the householder.

Does archaeological work only get carried out nowadays as part of the development process?

It is true that an increasing proportion of archaeological work is spent on developer funded projects since the inception of PPG 16. However may local authorities, community groups and Universities carry out excavation purely for research purposes. Projects may be targeted towards sites which may be suffering from natural threats such as erosion. You can read about our rescue dig at Highcliffe Nab as an example of this kind of work. You can find details of our research projects such as Catcote and Foxrush Farm elsewhere on this web site.

What other aspects are there to conservation work outside of the planning system?

Many archaeological sites lie derelict and underused. Many suffer unduly as people do not realise their value. Wherever possible we work with landowners to preserve these forgotten monuments in the most appropriate ways possible. Through schemes such as Countryside Stewardship landowners can receive grant payments for protecting or repairing damaged archaeological remains. A step further is to provide interpretive information on sites such as display panels, guided walks or leaflets. You can read about our work on Middlesbrough's Ironmasters District elsewhere on this web-site. We are happy to assist local landowners and grant giving bodies in facilitating such schemes.

What do I do if I need further advice or want to talk about a specific topic?

Tees Archaeology provides advice on all archaeological conservation matters within the four Teesside unitary authorities. If you would like to discuss a proposed development then please contact us directly.

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