Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment

A Stage 2 archaeological assessment is the natural next step once Stage 1 has provided enough evidence that the space we’re investigating could be archaeologically significant – as you might expect. At Toronto Archaeological Consulting, we have a treasure trove of experience when it comes to Stage 2 archaeological assessments, so you can rest assured that you’ll be receiving the very best service from our dedicated archaeologists. This part of the archaeological assessment requires an array of on-site procedures – all of which our professionals are adept at. To learn more about the second stage of the archaeological impact assessment, and more specifically, about the work that we’ll manage at your site, simply read on below. If you’re planning on arranging a consultation, or you have some burning questions that need answering, our customer service representatives can be accessed over the phone or online.

Understanding Stage 2

While Stage 1 archaeological assessments look at the existing archaeological significance of a site – whilst contextualising this information with the current condition and topography of the area – Stage 2 is concerned with a full scale physical assessment of the property. Notably, unlike Stage 1, where a physical assessment is optional for specific parts of the property, Stage 2 covers the entirety of the site. Generally speaking, Stage 2 physical assessments are completed using a couple of different processes, although that partly depends on the makeup and condition of the property that’s being assessed.

Ploughing

The first of these processes is ploughing – and this makes up the lion’s share of the work that will need to be completed at most properties. If there’s any part of the property that can be ploughed, it must take place. The procedure is carried out in such a way that the soil is exposed across the entire surface area of the site, wherever it’s accessible. Most often that not, it’s required that 2 weeks should pass between the ploughing process and the and the inspection work that is carried out for the archaeological assessment. Once ploughed, the area needs to be assessed by a qualified archaeologist who will walk between the individual transects at 5 metre intervals, searching for artifacts and remains which would suggest the presence of archaeological materials.

Test Pit Surveys

If the topography or condition of the land that we’re assessing doesn’t allow for ploughing, the alternative will be a test pit survey. This labour intensive approach will require us to dig small pits at 5 or 10 metre intervals across any unploughed land. Excavated soil will need to be assessed using a fine wire mesh, ensuring that anything archaeologically significant that’s present in the soil isn’t missed. Once the assessments are complete, we’ll return the pits back to their original grading.

Exceptions

Naturally, there are a number of circumstances where ploughing and test pit surveying aren’t required. These include spaces where steep slopes, existing buildings and roads, or wetlands are already present – since this dramatically diminishes the likelihood that any archaeological remnants are present.