Guidance for archaeological work

Archaeological desk-based assessment

An archaeological desk-based assessment should be presented to us for review and approval:

before any further evaluation works on the site,
as part of the documentation accompanying a planning application
alongside reports on any intrusive archaeological investigations which have been requested prior to the determination of a planning application

All work must be undertaken in a professional manner in line with Institute for Field Archaeologist Standard and Guidance.

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An archaeological desk-based assessment must address:

current land use from a site walkover survey
historical land uses including historic map regression
aerial photographs (NMR, City of York Council, York City Archives) and Lidar images for green field sites
geology, hydrology and hydrogeology of the site, in particular the extent to which the site may contain waterlogged deposits which may be masked by alluvial or colluvial material
assessment of how the topography of the site has changed and developed from prehistory to the present day
the locations and nature of listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments within 500 meters (or an agreed buffer) of the site plus gazetteer from a full Historic Environment Record (HER) search
the locations and nature of archaeological interventions (excavations, evaluations, watching briefs etc) on the site and within 500m (or an agreed buffer) of the site plus gazetteer from a full HER search
review of published documentary evidence and previous interpretations of the history and archaeology of the site
review of any existing ground investigation data, borehole records, etc
deposit model for the site
plans showing the site location and the proposed site layout

Our Historic Environment Record (HER) supports the 'Online Access to Index of Archaeological Investigations' (OASIS) project; the archaeological contractor must complete the online OASIS form - further information may be required by the City of York Archaeologist in certain cases.

Information should be drawn together to produce a report and deposit model which:

describes and assesses the evidence
assesses the potential impacts development might have on the site
assesses the requirement for a pre-determination archaeological evaluation (a programme of intrusive investigations on the site) to answer specific questions on the character, date and importance of archaeological deposits which might survive on the site
suggests any measures which may be required to mitigate the impact of development on archaeological features and deposits preserved on this site

City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA

Email: archaeology@york.gov.uk