Services
At Rocket Heritage and Archaeology, our team have the capacity to deliver the scope of mitigation works agreed with Planning Authorities, from a simple watching brief to a full-scale invasive excavation.
Our services include:
• Advice and consultancy
• Heritage Statements
• Desk Based Assessments
• ES Chapters
• Written Scheme of Investigations
• Archaeological Evaluation
• Trial Trenching
• Archaeological Excavation
• Watching Brief (monitoring)
• Geophysical Survey
• Walkover Surveys
• Topographic Surveys
• Historic Building Recording
• Listed Building Advice
• Heritage Building Condition Surveys
• Drone surveys
Services
Fieldwork & Excavation
Our experienced team provide a full range of fieldwork services, from archaeological evaluation trenching, to excavation and watching briefs (monitoring during construction).
Working to a specification from the Local Planning Authority or County Archaeology Service, we will prepare a Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) outlining the scope of the fieldwork and deliver in line with this.
Excavation may be required where significant remains are known or indicated to be present within a site and may require investigation of a specified sample of features.
Conclusion of the fieldwork and reporting enables discharge of the planning condition.
Historic Buildings
We work on buildings, monuments, structures, facades and churches and can provide a genuinely bespoke service to suit your needs! We carry out Historic Building Recording in accordance with the guidance of Historic England, to a level specified either by the local Archaeological Officer or Heritage/Conservation Officer.
This may include a photographic and/or drawn record of the building and consultation of relevant sources of archaeological and historical information.
Through a RICS chartered surveyor we can also undertake Building Condition Surveys and Heritage Building Condition Surveys to highlight any maintenance work that is required now and in the future.
A heritage survey will also give recommendations for materials that can be used and are in keeping with an historic structure.
Consultancy
From before you even start your project through to final sign off, we can support and provide advice every step of the way. We can carry out research in advance of land purchase to indicate the heritage constraints that may affect development.
Our high-level reports will indicate whether the building is listed, in a conservation area or close to nationally important archaeology, with an explanation what permissions and consultations might be required.
Our expert support will help you to plan for any heritage constraints early in the project, reduce risk and increase certainty in cost and programme, we will help you through the planning process and liaise with Local Planning Authorities and heritage bodies on your behalf.
Geophysical Survey
Geophysical survey is a non-intrusive technique that can that help reveal and map archaeological features buried underground.
When an archaeological evaluation is required for planning purposes, geophysical survey can serve as a useful preliminary step as a rapid and economical way of assessing the presence or absence of archaeological remains.
Our team is familiar with a range of geophysical techniques and will work closely with you to find the most suitable method for your project.
Post-excavation & specialist services
Once the work on site is completed, we can provide everything needed to process (clean and package), research, identify, report and archive the materials and records produced.
Working with in-house experts and recognised external specialists we tailor the work to the requirement of each project, producing illustrated reports at an appropriate level. We ensure that the archive is deposited in a timely fashion and to the required standards and guidance.
We aim to provide value for money and present expert information in a clear and knowledgeable fashion.
Heritage Services
We provide a full range of heritage services in support of planning applications. A Desk Based Assessment or Heritage Statement may be needed to provide information before a planning decision is made.
We will consult historic archives, undertake a site visit and provide an appropriately detailed report assessing the significance of archaeological and built heritage assets, with recommendations for further work if necessary, keeping you informed throughout.
Our team have experience of producing screening and scoping documents, Historic Environment and Archaeology chapters, and Statements of Common Ground for Environmental Impact Assessment.
Burial Archaeology & Osteology
With expertise in funerary archaeology and osteology, we also provide assessment and analysis of inhumations and cremated bone, producing illustrated reports and publications to recognised standards. We can provide guidance on the selection of samples for radiocarbon dating and assist with and advise on the use of stable isotope analyses, aDNA and facial reconstruction.
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Since the 1990s, Director, Natasha Powers, has excavated and analysed assemblages from across the UK, Ireland and in Germany, including nationally significant sites, and has researched and published on aspects of the osteology and funerary archaeology of assemblages dating from the prehistoric to the post-medieval periods.
