MAP Archaeological Consultancy Ltd. provides a wide range of archaeological processes for the developer:

• Consultancy - MAP provides its clients with realistic and comprehensive advice on any site which may encounter archaeology.  MAP can provide a developer with the necessary specification prior to work commencing, or if a specification is already in place, our consultants can advise on how best to proceed in accordance with the specification. MAP's consultants will also investigate and discuss the potential of archaeology on a site and how best to approach the archaeology. Consultants will guide and ensure the best service for its clients with regards to archaeology and the planning process. MAP would ensure the needs of the client are met and will give professional and realistic advice to any developer who may encounter archaeology. MAP believes it is imperative to always provide realistic and professional advice where archaeology is concerned. MAP provide a realistic cost implication for developers prior to any works commencing. With archaeology becoming a necessity in any planning process, developers are becoming increasingly aware of the potential cost of archaeology and at MAP our consultants are happy to discuss cost impacts and any solutions in development designs that may reduce the impact of development upon the archaeology. As consultants, MAP is here to help the client and facilitate the needs of the developer, we do not believe in undertaking unnecessary work to purely fascinate an archaeologists own interest; we are here to help our clients and provide a fast and efficient service.

• Desk Based/Landscape Assessment (DBA) - A Desk Based Assessment can be the key element in the planning process with regards to archaeology and its impact upon a development. It can determine whether a Watching Brief is required or a full scale excavation. It is an essential element for any developer who is planning on developing a piece of land no matter what scale. A DBA discusses the impact of the archaeology and provides any recommendations for any potential archaeology. MAP will provide a developer with a DBA for any scale site in any location be it rural, industrial or urban. This work is often incorporated into Environmental Assessments.

• Earthwork Survey - Archaeological sites defined by standing earthworks can be mapped and analysed using electronic surveying equipment and computer presentation techniques.

• Historic Building Survey - With property development becoming such a huge industry, developers will often encounter buildings which are of historical importance and so must provide an Historic Building Survey. The Historic Building Survey provides both a written and photographic record of the building in question and all elements of interest, from fixtures and fittings, to the history of the building through map regression and archive research. MAP's building survey expert has a comprehensive and wide range of experience, ranging from small rural barns to huge industrial sites. Whether a developer is altering a building from its former use into housing or if the building is to be demolished due to safety reasons, MAP can provide all services necessary for completion of an Historic Building Survey.

• Metal Detecting Survey - Metal detecting has earned a bad reputation through the illegal practice of 'night-hawking' and trespassing, yet the process can be of high importance when conducted in a legal and professional manner. Metal detecting will be conducted on most archaeological sites to pin point any areas of ferrous interest. Quite often ferrous objects can be extremely small or missed in excavation, hence metal detecting provides a useful tool for any archaeologist in the assemblage of finds, be it a piece of slag or a coin. Our metal detecting expert works closely with our field archaeologists during an excavation. The practice followed in not that of immediate ground disturbance but rather a 'marker system' whereby if the ferrous object detected is in an archaeological feature, it will excavated in sequence professionally and carefully.

• Field Walking - Field Walking can often provide an archaeologist with a good idea as to the density of archaeology on a given area through surface finds, whilst also providing useful dating information prior to any excavation work. Field Walking is mostly employed on rural sites. A logical and extensive grid is set out prior to field walking which is then planned, so that upon analysis, an archaeologist can pin point areas of activity and the density of finds.

• Watching Briefs - Many developers will at some point encounter a Watching Brief condition on a site. The purpose of a Watching Brief is to assess whether any archaeology is present upon earth movement. MAP provides professional archaeologists who will attend sites and monitor all ground disturbances thus assessing the presence of archaeology and the necessary action. MAP will always endeavour to work around the works schedule of a site understanding the nature of construction and quarrying work.

• Pre-Planning Evaluation -  Pre-Planning evaluation provides a developer with the potential impact of archaeology before land acquisition. It enables a potential developer to assess a site and the extent and cost of any archaeology present. MAP provides both an historic background of a site and any recommendations upon land purchase and development. Through map regression, archive research and possible Geophysics, MAP can provide the developer with any areas of archaeological interest that may impact upon development. Trial Trenching may also be recommended to assess the next stage in the planning process. MAP would always recommend this method prior to land acquisition as it gives a realistic approach to the potential of the land and whether MAP would advise development or not in regards to archaeology.

• Excavation - Excavation work is the process of digging and recording all features within a site of future development. Depending upon the size and complexity of archaeology on a site, for example if human remains are encountered, excavation can be a costly implication for a developer. MAP will ensure a realistic pricing scheme and time schedules. MAP provides a large team of fully qualified archaeologists to under take any excavation work. All MAP's archaeologists have experience of excavation work, from rural sites to busy urban construction sites. MAP has Health and Safety experts within its team along with First Aid training. MAP will ensure that the development is not held up unnecessarily by any excavation work and is happy to work alongside on going developments, whilst maintaining a high and efficient standard of work throughout all archaeological work.

• Archaeological Reports - Upon completion of any archaeological work, a report will be produced. The archaeological report is the necessary element of any planning condition regarding archaeology to show the work has been completed to the satisfactory standard and planning condition as outlined in a specification. Only upon completion and release of a report, can the condition be discharged allowing development to continue.

• Public Inquiries - MAP has experience of giving evidence at Inquiries and will always enter an Inquiry fully prepared and confident in its work.