Joint Press Release from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Historic England, the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers, the Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers, Solar Energy UK Archaeological and renewable energy sectors unite to publish good practice framework The Guide covers the full lifecycle of large-scale solar farms, from planning to decommissioning The publication supports the UK’s clean energy transition while safeguarding

Joe Abrams had the opportunity to present as part of a thought provoking and necessary session named Archaeological Ethics for the modern world. This session took place at the 2023 Chartered Institute for Archaeologists - CIfA 2023 Sustainable Futures - Standards Skills and the Profession. The Conference took place in Nottingham and the sessions included: The register of professional Archaeologists - Kenneth Aitchison, RPA Revising the code of conduct - Peter Hinton Chief Exe

Our Director, Joe Abrams, has recently completer training directly relevant to the task of expert witness. This comprised: · The Cardiff University Bond Solon (CUBS) Expert Witness Civil Certificate (2022) To complete my Cardiff University Bond Solon (CUBS) Civil Expert Witness Certificate. In order to complete the course he has undergone the following Bond Solon expert witness training courses: · Civil or Family or Criminal Law and Procedure (2021) · Exc

Commercial archaeological reports are, very often, submitted as part of a planning application for land. In some cases, the client for whom they were produced subsequently sells the land on. This can mean that archaeological reports are subsequently relied upon by an organisation which was not that client. Assurances may be sought as to their reliability, so that it may be demonstrated that land has been subject to appropriate tests prior to sale. Archaeologists are amongst a

Abrams Archaeology Ltd became a member of the Climate Heritage Network in January 2022. Over 50% of our workload at this time is with renewable energy projects and we are proud to support this initiative. Which you can discover more about here: https://climateheritage.org/ The Climate Heritage Network Vision Despite profound connections between climate change and culture, today there are thousands of arts, culture and heritage actors and advocates whose talents have not yet b

The CIfA Client Guide and Directory is now published online. It can be downloaded at the following locations. This guide is aimed at anyone who needs to meet the requirements of legislation or policy that relate to archaeology. It explains what you need to do and why you need a professional archaeologist to help you through the process. Following this guide will increase your chances of reaping benefits from your archaeological work and avoiding some of the possible hazards o

We have researched and reflected upon the use of non-disclosure agreements within commercial archaeology. The results of this process can be seen within The Archaeologist 113 (Magazine) to come out over summer 2021. Further information at - https://www.archaeologists.net/archaeologist We hope the short article is helpful for others in our sector and that by raising the profile of this topic, we raise awareness and encourage others to think about these increasingly common form

How we can help you Sometimes development works take place within, or partly within, a Scheduled Monument. In such cases Scheduled Monument Consent must be applied for alongside a local planning authoirty application. The process is often referred to as ‘gaining SMC’. There are justifiable reasons why SMC can be applied for, and gained. Developers should face this prospect early and engage, via ourselves, with Historic England. The earlier that engagement takes place the bett

Heritage and Archaeological Impact Assessment The NPPF[1] states “Where a site on which development is proposed includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.” We regularly provide these for clients across the UK. Archaeological Potential Development opportunities exist on former airfields, iso

Listen here to our interview on Matthew Gudgins Sunday Morning show. Its at this link between 9:10 and 9:20am. Episode called - "New Information unearthed about Kings Lynns Jewish community" Link to Matthew Gudgins show is here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09nknj9 There is a link to the report here. https://www.foundationforjewishheritage.com/post/new-research-study-on-jews-in-medieval-england-published

Heritage and Archaeological Assessment The NPPF[1] states “Where a site on which development is proposed includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.” We regularly provide these for clients across the UK. Cities with deep layers of archaeological deposits Certain long-lived urban centres (e.g

Heritage and Archaeological Assessment The NPPF[1] states “Where a site on which development is proposed includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.” We regularly provide these for clients across the UK. Green Fields Development opportunities exist on former airfields or village edge locatio

Heritage and Archaeological Assessment The NPPF[1] states “Where a site on which development is proposed includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.” We regularly provide these for clients across the UK. Historic Core Many villages have developed around a historic core for over a thousand ye

Year 1 Summary Our company began trading in May 2020 and so April 2021 marks one of many milestones passed by the business already. We set clear goals for the company in the following areas in our business plan, and by striving towards them, we have done much towards building a professional archaeological consultancy company. Sectors we are actively working within 2020-21 Renewables, Commercial Property, Residential Property, Research, Local Government and Infrastructure Rang

Post-Excavation Budget Management Many of our clients have encountered the need for archaeological assessment in support of a planning application. Many have now funded archaeological evaluation works to test for the presence of remains. A smaller number have come across significant archaeological remains on a site. The idea of this can induce concerns about cost and time. Abrams Archaeology is highly experienced in the management of risk in these circumstances. That experi

Joe Abrams wrote up the investigation of a stretch of Cursus Monument to the north of Biggleswade. The full article appears in Bedfordshire Archaeology and can be downloaded free at http://www.baalhs.org.uk/index.htm. The excavation revealed a 30m stretch of ditch, part of a much larger circuit. This was part of a very special type of prehistoric monument, datable to the Neolithic (about 4000-2500 BC) cursus is a recognised religious or ceremonial monument type found througho

Lift Going Down: Roman Finds at Dyers' Hall describes the remarkable series of deposits and finds recovered within excavations for a new lift shaft at Dyers Hall, Dowgate Hill, the in City of London. You can find the article in the Spring 2021 edition of London Archaeologist, here - https://www.londonarchaeologist.org.uk/current-issue.html Excavation recorded a sequence of archaeological deposits 2.5m deep, mainly of Roman date. The three stages of investigation were located

We are now listed in the Directory of Accredited Professionals. The full list can be found here. Director Joe Abrams can be found here: https://www.archaeologists.net/directory-of-accredited-professionals The directory includes accredited professionals of the Chartered Institute who have given permission to include their details in line with GDPR. Developers can get excellent guidance on how to find a professional archaeologist in the CIfA guidance provided in the CIfA Guidan

I am please to have been coopted to the The Advisory Council of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. It has up to 40 members, 20 of which are elected by the membership and up to 20 filled by representatives from each individual special interest or area group. Advisory Council represents the interests of the membership and offers advice to the Board of Directors on policy, strategy and potentially controversial decisions. There are more details here: https://www.archaeo

Community Groups - Freelance Professional - Established Charities We have written grant applications for various clients looking to access resources for their Activities and Events. We make sure to listen to you and your team. We can write the Grant Application, provide you with pro forma Templates for Risk Logs and work through Costing Sheets to ensure that everything is covered accurately. ​ We can check match funding sources and quantities and we can price check the servic

Post-Excavation assessment, analysis publication and archiving works Once an investigation finishes, most archaeological conditions require a level of reporting. This can fall into relatively short grey literature/commercial reports or it can mean two stage processes which require assessment and reflection on research priorities (Stage 1) followed by analysis and publication (Stage 2). Our team are familiar with all stages. We have a wide network of specialist contractors to

We offer Appraisal and Feasibility reports. These are designed to sit outside the Planning System. They are tools for our clients to share with their teams. Helping to inform and to promote informed discussion of risk and opportunity. If a site progresses then we can incorporate their results into assessments needed for the Planning Application stage. However, with projects that may not progress, such assessments can be a useful tool to helping to decide if something should g

DigVentures is a platform that enables civic participation in archaeology and heritage projects (https://digventures.com/). Read more on my interview with DigVentures “Over 90% of archaeology that takes place in the UK happens as a result of a planning condition, meaning that developers have to balance the cost of new construction projects against the potential impact they might have on the historic environment.” https://digventures.com/2014/02/a-knights-tale/

During the lockdown period, I have been amazed, educated and entertained during recent months by using online resources. Theatre productions and live music, academic libraries opening up their collections. Art galleries allowing us to see collections. There is something for everyone and the open, sharing movement which has emerged online has been one of the more positive stories. Pre-dating those higher profile efforts, many regionally based archaeological organisations have

During the last few months, where much of the population has been in lockdown, many of us have become aware of the rich online resources. New resources have been provided and many organisations have reviewed access and cost. We have been able to access more things and at a lower cost to the user. Perhaps some such resources were previously available, but we didn’t realise or had not the time/opportunity to look. One such resource is “The Archaeology Data Service” https://arch

I am delighted to join the International Advisory Panel of the Foundation for Jewish Heritage (https://www.foundationforjewishheritage.com/panel.html). The Charity, working under the leadership of Michael Mail (Chief Executive) does work of the highest standard. The charity places an emphasis on shared heritage and bringing frequently disused and neglected historic buildings back into use. The works to date are inspiring. These include the creation of an excellent map resourc

These projects also set an example in terms of collaborative working and positive attitudes to teamwork and safety. Much of this is due to t

Based in the market town of Hitchin, we are delighted to launch our new Commercial Archaeological Consultancy. We are looking forward to advising our clients and we hope you will feel able to get in touch and ask about our services. We have an emphasis on enabling development and finding solutions.