One Minima to Rule them All

[Marc Berger]

Could the terminology 'field evaluation' cover say walkover surveys, condition surveys etc which can often charcterise archaeology without excavation, especially when used in combination with a HER and document search. How about building surveys?

I think that the terminology "field evaluation" may include walkover /geophys but only if "characterised" by field evaluation. Building surveys are nothing to do with field archaeology.

National Policy frame work mentions "field evaluation", once in para 128 and is pretty specific that it is

In determining applications, local planning authorities should require an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage assets affected, including any contribution made by their setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the assets’ importance and no more than is sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on their significance. As a minimum the relevant historic environment record should have been consulted and the heritage assets assessed using appropriate expertise where necessary. Where a site on which development is proposed includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.

This what ppg16 mostly said about

(b) Field Evaluations
21. Where early discussions with local planning authorities or the developer's own research
indicate that important archaeological remains may exist, it is reasonable for the planning
authority to request the prospective developer to arrange for an archaeological field evaluation
to be carried out before any decision on the planning application is taken. This sort of
evaluation is quite distinct from full archaeological excavation. It is normally a rapid and
inexpensive operation, involving ground survey and small-scale trial trenching, but it should be
carried out by a professionally qualified archaeological organisation or archaeologist. The
Institute of Field Archaeologists (see Annex 1 for address), publishes a Directory of members,
which developers may wish to consult. Evaluations of this kind help to define the character and
extent of the archaeological remains that exist in the area of a proposed development, and
thus indicate the weight which ought to be attached to their preservation. They also provide
information useful for identifying potential options for minimising or avoiding damage. On this
basis, an informed and reasonable planning decision can be taken.

The archaeology is there if you go to excavation and the evaluation should give you a basis as to how and what you want to excavate. Non intrusive evaluation cannot identify excavation costs, Which brings us nicely back to pay minima based on "excavation rates". I think that there is something fundamentally wrong in thinking that the excavation of a "more" complicated site can be solved by having "more" salaried £60 a day diggers or their supervisors. Ifas minima and corporate membership structure is effect anti the point of evaluation. Its kinda saying that they already know how much it will cost. I don't understand.