National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AC4 Conduct intrusive investigations

AC4.2 Undertake intrusive investigations

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. conducting the investigation efficiently and systematically and in accordance with the method statement
2. identifying and accurately recording relevant features
3. ensuring observations and measurements are accurate, are in appropriate format and fully meet specified data requirements
4. ensuring that investigation data are recorded clearly and accurately and are stored securely for later analysis
5. adapting work procedures and practices appropriately to allow for different circumstances and conditions
6. maintaining the integrity of the site, observing safe working practices and welfare arrangements and ensuring disruption to other activities on the site is kept to a minimum
7. make good the site in accordance with the method statement
8. consulting expert advice in instances where additional, specialist information is required which is relevant to the investigation
9. advising interested parties promptly of potentially critical findings and constraints arising during the conduct of the investigation
10. maintaining effective working relationships and ensuring that the project team is kept fully informed of progress and significant developments
11. maintaining equipment in operational order and storing it securely

Occupational Context

1. Type of investigation:
   • surface artefact collection
   • auguring
   • hand excavation
   • machine excavation
   • watching brief (excavation by others)
2. Type of site:
   • sub-surface deposits
   • structures
   • terrestrial
   • intertidal
   • underwater
3. Work procedures and practices:
   • excavation
   • recording
   • recovery of finds and samples
   • reinstatement
4. Safe working practices (cover):
   • personal safety
   • safety of others (including the public)
   • equipment and clothing
   • safe use of access equipment
   • health and safety practice and regulations
   • codes of best practice
   • risk assessment
5. Circumstances and conditions:
   • stability of structures and excavations
   • nature of features and deposits revealed
   • cultural and historical significance of site and site features
   • current use of site
   • geotechnical factors
   • weather conditions
   • fragility of features and materials
   • emergency circumstances
6. Sources of expert advice:
   • finds specialists
   • environmental specialists
   • period specialists
   • archaeological conservators
7. Interested parties:
   • site personnel (including sub-contractors)
   • client
   • the professional and academic community
   • owners / occupiers
   • community and special interest groups
   • regulatory authorities

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Conduct investigations
• Identify and follow safe working practices.
• Obtain specialist information and advice
• Observe and measure accurately
• Adapt investigation procedures and practices to suit different conditions
• Record and store investigation data
• Maintain equipment

You need to know about:

• Types and modes of investigation
• Safe working practices which apply to the conduct of investigation
• Sources of expert advice and specialist information
• Circumstances and conditions which can affect investigation operations
• Data protocols used in different investigation methods

Types of recording format and data storage systems used

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• How to conduct investigations using intrusive methods and techniques
• How to work with specialists and subcontractors to achieve objectives

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can undertake intrusive investigations

The candidate should be questioned, based upon the documentation provided, to explore the following

• conduct of investigations
• investigation data recorded
• investigation procedures and practices adapted to suit different conditions
• working with subcontractors

Evidence Rules

• The candidate should have been involved in at least 2 substantive projects.

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Today's date: 3/9/2010
This page last updated: 6/8/2007 11:58