Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH), brief for an
Archaeological Supervisor for the Stop, Look and Listen Project (SLL)
ARCH require the following works to be undertaken as part of the Stop, Look and
Listen Project
Archaeological Supervision and on-site tuition, as described below, for the
Delve into the Past SLL programme:
About Delve into the Past
This project will deliver an inclusive community excavation at Foulis, near Evanton, public
excavation dates from the 9th -24th July 2011. The project aims to enable participants to
achieve a working knowledge and understanding of best practice in pre-excavation skills and
techniques, including desk based survey and assessment; excavation; site recording
techniques; and post-excavation work and interpretation, including finds processing,
and report writing. Whilst the project is designed for adult participants of all abilities,
during the excavation both a complementary children’s programme and childcare will
also be offered. Additionally, during the excavation, transport will be provided from a
public transport hub.
1. Supervision
Provide 14 days supervision for community participants in the Delve into the Past
Community excavation. The supervisor will be required to coordinate and supervise
the following elements of the excavation project:
1. Excavation
2. On-site survey (including Site and Feature Planning; Electronic Distance
3. Measuring; Taking and Reducing Levels)
4. Finds Processing
5. Taking and Processing Samples
6. Recording (Including Context Recording, Section Drawing, Photographic
Recording, Electronic Distance Measuring; Site and Personal Excavation
Diarying, completion of indices and other site documentation).
7. Stabilisation of finds.
2. On-site tuition
Provide tuition in all elements of excavation and recording required, responding to
participants abilities, needs and aspirations. The model of tuition will be to support
learning through doing, ensuring that participants have access to a variety of learning
opportunities throughout the excavation.
3. Accountability and Responsibility
The Archaeological Supervisor is accountable to the ARCH Project Officer who will
direct the Community Excavation. Regular site coordination meetings will
be held throughout the 14 days in order to monitor, review and evaluate the
progression and direction of the excavation and the learning opportunities being
provided. The Archaeological Supervisor is jointly responsible with the ARCH Project Officer
for the completion of all site records; responsible excavation and safe reinstatement of the
site. Completion Dates: July 2011.
We require that all those tendering for this contract be able to demonstrate
experience of working on community excavations, with members of the public; in a
supervisory capacity. We also require that applicants be at least Practitioner
Members of the Institute of Field Archaeologists. Experience of excavation in the
Highlands would be desirable.