National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AC5 Contribute to intrusive investigations

AC5.2 Undertake intrusive investigations

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. contributing to the investigation efficiently and systematically and in accordance with the method statement
2. identifying and accurately recording relevant features
3. making observations and measurements that are accurate and fully meet specified data requirements
4. recording investigation data clearly and accurately and storing it securely for later analysis
5. adapting work procedures and practices if instructed to allow for different circumstances and conditions
6. consulting with senior manager when uncertain about any aspect of the investigation or own responsibilities for action
7. maintaining the integrity of the site, observing safe working practices and ensuring disruption to other activities on the site is kept to a minimum
8. using equipment appropriately, maintaining it 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
   • 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

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Conduct investigations
• Identify and follow safe working practices.
• Observe and measure accurately
• Adapt investigation procedures and practices to suit different conditions
• Record and store investigation data
• Use and maintain equipment
• Use personal protection clothing & equipment

You need to know about:

• Types and modes of investigation
• Safe working practices which apply to the conduct of investigation
• 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:

• The use and calibration of measuring equipment
• The safe and appropriate use and care of hand tools
• The safe and appropriate use and care of plant, power tools and equipment
• The safe use of access and lifting equipment
• Lifting and handling techniques
• Techniques applicable intrusive archaeological investigations
• The use of forms for recording and of the recording materials

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

• investigation data recorded and stored
• methods and purposes of investigation
• own role in investigation and in team
• recording protocols

Evidence Rules

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

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Today's date: 21/11/2008
This page last updated: 6/8/2007 10:58