WATCHING BRIEFS

Watching briefs are generally sought when construction work is to begin in an area of known archaeological interest, but where there is insufficient potential to warrant a full excavation. Watching briefs are a process by which an archaeologist works closely with the groundworkers as they carry out their trenching etc, monitoring their excavations. The archaeologist records any archaeological remains that are exposed and their extent/importance and produces a report for the local Council and client. This can inform the Council whether any further archaeological work is needed (i.e if significant archaeology is found) or that little to no archaeology was present, and therefore, no further work would be necessary.