If you own a piece of land which is located on an area which may contain historical objects, you should seriously consider having an archaeological surgery completed before construction work begins. If you go ahead without a survey and the construction crew uncovers any artefacts, they will need to stop work until the site has been assessed by an archaeological team. Below is a guide to the steps you will need to take in preparation for a visit by the archaeologists.

Carry out some research

Being forewarned is forearmed. If you live in an area which has previously been the home to archaeological finds, you should carry out a bit of research. The best place to start is at your local library. The library should have records of any significant archaeological finds which will give you an idea of the previous level of activity. You may also wish to reach out to any local societies which may also have valuable information.

Contact the local authorities

The rules regarding archaeological digs can differ from state to state, so it is always best to contact the local authorities before commencing an archaeological survey or excavation. Some archaeological consultants will be happy to do this on your behalf, but you should never presume that this has been done. If the location of the dig is very close to the boundary of another property, it is possible that the surveyors will require access to the neighbouring land so you should also contact the owners of any land which may be affected to seek permission.

Supply the team with maps and photographs

Before the team of archaeologist arrive, they will want to make plans about how they may approach the survey. For example, they will probably want to establish the location of the initial trench which will be used to explore the site. You can aid the team by supplying them with maps or the area and photographs. This information will help them to establish the best way of carrying out the survey.

Ensure the site is prepared

Before the archaeologists arrive, you should check what type of vehicle they will be driving. Some teams will use heavy trucks to transport ground sonar and other specialist equipment. You should then ensure that all access routes are clear so the vehicles can reach the site. You should also make sure that there are no hazards such as chemicals or dangerous structures on the site which could pose a threat to the people carrying out the survey.

If you would like to find out more, contact an archaeological consultant today.