Managing Archaeological Projects and Case Studies
This page provides details on GLAAS' role in maintaining and promoting best practice in the way archaeological work is carried out.
It is important that archaeological investigations in London are carried out to the highest standards and using up-to-date professional methods. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires developers to record and advance understanding of the significance of any heritage assets affected by schemes.
Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service Standards and Guidance
Archaeological excavation in particular is a destructive process. The records (written, drawn and photographic; as well as the artefacts and ecofacts) will be the only evidence of a site for future generations to understand it. Consistency of record keeping enables one site to be usefully compared to another. Such considerations are important in any investigation, whether secured through the planning process or independently from it.
Our guidelines for archaeological projects in Greater London introduce a typology of site-types linked to methodologies, place public benefit at the heart of managing London’s archaeological resource and, clarify expectations for archiving and publication. Feedback from users is welcome, and the guidelines can be revised if necessary or when new solutions become available.
Case studies
We have identified nine site-types often encountered in London, each of which requires a different suite of techniques to manage change: Burial Grounds, Buildings and above ground, Deep Urban, Deep Alluvium, Greenfield, Industrial, Palaeolithic, Riverside and Suburban.
The case studies listed below illustrate how the new guidance can be applied.
Other London Heritage Standards and Guidance
We base our guidance on that of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), as well as on a series of Historic England papers, which can be found on the Training and Skills web pages.
We also endorse the use of the Museum of London Site Recording Manual and the London Museum Archaeological Archive deposition guidelines.