Evaluating evaluation trenching in archaeological projects

评估考古项目中的挖沟工作

• 批准号: 2068179
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Brighton
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2018 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2068179
• 关键词: Evaluating; evaluation; trenching; archaeological; projects

Historic environment assets, whether designated or not, are significant material consideration in the planning process. Archaeological Written Schemes of Investigation (WSIs) are produced as part of the development process and follow a generalised workflow from Desk based Assessments, Geophysical Survey, Evaluation Excavation, Mitigation Excavation, Post Excavation Assessment and Analysis, through to Reporting and Publication. Although each of these steps is important, arguably the phase of Evaluation Excavation (trenching) is pivotal. Not only is it the first time archaeologists investigate the nature of the deposit sequences and archaeological remains, but more critically, it provides the data on the nature and distribution of historic environmental resources, which determines the methodology of the full mitigation excavation. Despite the prominence of evaluation excavation within the archaeological process, scant research has been undertaken on the effectiveness of current strategies for the detection of archaeological remains, and the importance of different depositional environments (e.g. urban, alluvial) to the process. An often quoted figure of 5% by area of a development site is derived from an early study (Hey and Lacey 1999), and a 5% sample is a typical figure promoted as an archaeological condition. However, given the development of methods of geoprospection for shallow environments (e.g. large area magnetic surveys on chalklands), and a much improved strategy for the deposit modelling of deeper accreting sediments (e.g. urban, alluvial environments), it is time to revisit the process of evaluation trenching. Ultimately, the effectiveness of evaluation strategies needs to be analysed and its application within the archaeological process refined.Research questionsThe aim of this PhD is to assess the usefulness and limitations of evaluation trenching in different environment types, for the detection of different archaeological resources. This can then allow the development of better strategies of evaluation trenching, and possibly a clearer relationship between different evaluation designs and other archaeological methods, e.g. gradiometry or deposit modelling. Ultimately, this will lead to better holistic archaeological programmes within the developer funded sector and better yields from archaeological programmes.The aims of this PhD will be addressed through five fundamental research questions (i-v)i. What evaluation trenching strategies are suitable in complex (accreting) depositional environments and how much evaluation excavation is required in conjunction with a deposit modelling framework for these environments?ii. What evaluation trenching strategies are suitable for archaeological detection on dryland (shallow bedrock sites, e.g. chalk) and how should it be applied in conjunction with shallow geoprospection methods suitable for dryland shallow bedrock areas?iii. What are there different practices for evaluation trenching and how do these compare in their effectiveness for the identification of historic environmental resources?iv. What is the ability of evaluation trenching to detect small, less obvious archaeological features from earlier periods, e.g. Creswellian flints, Mesolithic features?v. Is the 'industry standard' of 5% evaluation excavation strategy effective?

历史环境资产，无论是否指定，都是规划过程中的重要考虑因素。考古书面调查计划（WSIs）是开发过程的一部分，并遵循从案头评估，地球物理调查，评估挖掘，缓解挖掘，挖掘后评估和分析到报告和出版的一般工作流程。虽然这些步骤中的每一个都很重要，但可以说评估挖掘（挖沟）阶段是关键。这不仅是考古学家第一次调查存款序列和考古遗迹的性质，更重要的是，它提供了历史环境资源的性质和分布的数据，这决定了充分缓解挖掘的方法。尽管突出的考古过程中的评估挖掘，很少的研究已经进行的有效性，目前的战略检测考古遗迹，不同的沉积环境（如城市，冲积）的过程中的重要性。一个经常被引用的数字是开发场地面积的5%，这是从早期的研究中得出的（Hey和Lacey 1999），5%的样本是作为考古条件推广的典型数字。然而，鉴于浅层环境地质勘探方法的发展（例如，白垩地大面积磁测），以及更深层增生沉积物（例如，城市、冲积环境）的存款建模战略的大大改进，现在是重新审视评估挖沟过程的时候了。最终，评估策略的有效性需要进行分析，其应用范围内的考古过程refined.Research questionsThe博士学位的目的是评估的有用性和局限性，在不同的环境类型的评估挖沟，检测不同的考古资源。这样就可以制定更好的评估挖沟战略，并可能在不同的评估设计和其他考古方法（如梯度测量或存款建模）之间建立更清晰的关系。最终，这将导致开发商资助的部门内更好的整体考古方案，并从考古方案更好的收益。这个博士学位的目的将通过五个基本研究问题（i-v）i.在复杂（增生）沉积环境中，什么样的评估挖沟策略是合适的？在这些环境中，需要结合存款建模框架进行多少评估挖掘？二.什么样的评估挖沟战略适合于旱地（浅基岩遗址，如白垩）的考古探测，以及如何将其与适合于旱地浅基岩地区的浅地质勘探方法结合使用？三.有什么不同的做法来评估挖沟和如何比较他们的有效性，以确定历史环境资源？四.评估挖沟探测早期较小、不太明显的考古学特征的能力如何，例如克雷斯韦尔燧石、中石器时代特征？五、5%评价挖掘策略的“行业标准”是否有效？