**Document:** Written Scheme of Investigation
**Application:** 18/00161/B — Extension to existing quarry
**Decision:** Department Application
**Decision Date:** 2018-08-09
**Parish:** Malew
**Document Type:** report / planning_statement
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/11304-malew-part-field-432475-billown-extension/documents/1306127

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# Written Scheme of Investigation

and where it is considered that recording is dangerous, any such features or remains will be recorded by photography, at a safe distance.

## Field Methodology

143. The Field Methodology presented below has been designed as a coherent methodology to ensure a consistency across the extraction scheme. There is no presumption within this methodology that a single contractor will undertake all works nor that all works will be undertaken as a single event.

### Strip \& Map

144. The approach for the whole of the footprint of the quarry extension in Fields 435128 and 432475 will be that a pre-emptive programme of excavation will be undertaken to investigate and record the archaeological features present before loss.
145. The first stage will be the removal of topsoil and subsoil under archaeological control. Significant archaeology will then be delimited before being subject to hand excavation to the agreed protocols (see below). Specifically:
a. one archaeologist will monitor each mechanical excavator that is working within an uncleared area;
b. the excavator will be under the control of the archaeologist and will, initially, topsoil the area necessary for that element of the extraction to the upper surface of the underlying subsoil (or archaeologically significant horizon if different) prior to further reduction;
c. plant movement across stripped surfaces will be restricted to corridors within inspected areas (see item d below) that have been shown to be clear of archaeology;
d. the archaeological team will inspect and survey the stripped surface to map all visible features that have the potential to be archaeologically significant;
e. minor or isolated potential archaeological features identified during the course of works will be excavated (in keeping with excavation protocols);
f. more extensive or significant potential archaeological features will be assessed, delimited and secured by temporary fencing (erected by the principal contractor) pending mobilization for excavation. These fenced areas will be substantial enough to encompass the features and sufficient ground to competently facilitate subsequent excavation; and
g. on the completion of clearing minor or isolated features (item e) and the temporary fencing of more extensive features (item f) the balance of the stripped and mapped ground will be released to the quarry operator (negating item c).
146. The mapping of potentially significant archaeological features will be undertaken by Total Station or equivalent sub-cm accurate device based on a local grid that will be tied to the Ordnance Survey grid and Ordnance Datum.

### Sample Excavation

147. The excavation sampling strategy will maintain the levels which have been agreed with the Manx National Heritage through this Written Scheme of Investigation. The appropriate levels of sampling of any archaeological features to be destroyed by the development proposals are:
a. all funerary contexts will be fully excavated and all relationships recorded;
b. intersections of potentially significant ditches and gullies will have all relationships defined, investigated and recorded through $100 \%$ excavation (all terminals will be excavated). Some $10 \%$ by length of stretches of such features will be excavated to determine its character over the exposed course; this will be achieved by a

sequence of slots;
c. sufficient artefact assemblages will be recovered (where possible) to assist in dating the stratigraphic sequence and for obtaining ample ceramic and lithic groups for comparison with other sites;
d. at least $50 \%$, by volume, of potential post-holes will be excavated;
e. at least $25 \%$, by volume, of potentially pits will be excavated;
f. for other types of feature, such as working hollows, the basic requirement will be that all relationships are ascertained. Further investigation will be a matter of onsite judgement, but will seek to establish as a minimum their extent, date and function; and
g. for layers, an on-site decision will be made as to the limits of their excavation. The factors governing the judgement will include the possibility that they mask earlier remains, the need to understand function and depositional processes, and the necessity to recover sufficient artefacts to date the deposit and to meet the project aims;
h. for features that are interpreted as being elements of significant coherent structure and/or have an industrial function the Manx National Heritage may require 100\% excavation.
148. Where feature groups are to be partially excavated within this sampling strategy, the characteristics of the identified features will be used to inform selection. Features with visible inclusions will preferentially be targeted. Metal detectors will be used within this context, to inform sampling. Further, where contacts are noted hand held detectors will be used to ensure recovery of the object during subsequent hand excavation.
149. The presumption is that all excavation works detailed above will be undertaken by hand. However, in limited circumstances excavation plant may be used to assist the excavation methodology, in particular where:
$\diamond \quad$ deep archaeological strata can only be safely investigated by stepping or battering a localised trench; and
$\diamond \quad$ where sterile/natural layers are encountered that mask archaeologically significant strata.
150. The use of excavation plant within the excavation areas after the initial strip and map phase will be confirmed and agreed with Manx National Heritage, prior to use.

## Recording Systems

151. The recording system will be based on the Museum of London's Archaeological Site Manual (1994). All recording will be in keeping with the recording system which will, at minimum, detail that:
$\diamond \quad$ all contexts, small finds and environmental samples will be given unique numbers;
$\diamond \quad$ small finds will be individually bagged and then located by context, while unstratified finds will be located to 25 m grid squares;
$\diamond \quad$ and all recording of contexts, samples and activities will be undertaken on pro forma record sheets.
152. A Harris matrix will be maintained during site works and updated before inclusion in the relevant preliminary site report.
153. An overall site plan for each stage will be mapped by Total Station or DGPS and tied to the Ordnance Survey base and Ordnance Datum. Detailed plans of archaeological areas will be recorded with sufficient accuracy to depict general areas at 1:50 (1:100 where natural features only). Additionally 1:20 plans of all the individual features will be prepared and

sections drawn at 1:10. Spot heights and those of individual features will be recorded relative to Ordnance Datum. Representative measured sections of the side of the soil strip will be prepared as appropriate showing the sequences and depths of general deposits.
154. A photographic record (SLR colour digital $>7$ megapixel resolution) will be maintained during the course of the fieldwork. The topic of images will include:
$\diamond \quad$ the site prior to commencement of fieldwork;
$\diamond \quad$ the site during work, showing specific stages of fieldwork;
$\diamond \quad$ the layout of archaeological features within each area;
$\diamond \quad$ individual features and, where appropriate, their sections; and
$\diamond \quad$ groups of features where their relationship is important.
155. Each image of an archaeological detail will include an appropriate scale, north arrow and header board.

## Finds Recovery

156. All finds (artefacts and ecofacts) visible during on-site works will be collected and processed. Finds will be appropriately packaged and stored under optimum conditions, as detailed in the RESCUE/UKIC publication First Aid for Finds (Watkinson and Neal 1998).
157. Appropriate procedures under the relevant legislation will be followed in the event of the discovery of artefacts. Specifically, all archaeological objects will be reported to Manx National Heritage to the timetable within Section 20 of the Museum \& National Trust Act 1959. Further no archaeological object will be removed from the Isle of Man without a licence under Section 21 of the Museum \& National Trust Act 1959. No archaeological object will be subject to permanent alteration (inc destructive sampling) without a licence under Section 22 of the Museum \& National Trust Act 1959.
158. In addition, items of silver or gold must be reported to Manx National Heritage as promptly as possible (compliant with Isle of Man Government Circular 66/72). Such items must be removed to a safe place (on island) and should it not be possible to remove the find appropriate safeguarding to the agreement of Manx National Heritage will be put in place until it has been removed.

### Environmental Sampling

159. Archaeological deposits will be sampled systematically; all investigated features believed to be significant archaeological features will be sampled along with a selection of natural features and topsoil to provide control samples.
160. Deposits will be sampled for retrieval and assessment of the preservation conditions and potential for analysis of biological remains and industrial debris. Bulk soil samples, a minimum of 10 litres but up to a target size 40 litres where sufficient sediment is available, will be taken for wet sieving and flotation.
161. Where appropriate, kubiena tins will be recovered to enable the interrogation of soil formation processes through soil micromorphology.
162. Other specialist sampling will be undertaken where it has the potential to significantly contribute to the understanding of the archaeological site.

### Human Remains

163. In the event of human burials being discovered then all works on those features will be halted and Manx National Heritage notified. The IoM constabulary will be informed of the exposure by Manx National Heritage where relevant. Excavation works will restart once these external parties are content. The archaeological contractor comply with all requirements under the licence issued for these archaeological works under the Section 23 of the Museum \& National Trust Act 1959.
164. Further where the Burial Act 1986 applies, a licence will be sought for exhumation under

Section 22 of the Act. In addition the archaeological contractor will comply with any local environmental health concerns.
165. The archaeological contractor will comply with all reasonable requests of interested parties as to the method of removal, re-interment or disposal of the remains or associated items. Every effort will be made, at all times, not to cause offence to any interested parties.
166. Note, human remains cannot be considered property (compliant Article 4 of the Human Rights Act 2001) hence cannot be treated as archaeological objects. However, the management of human remains will be undertaken in compliance with guidance from Manx National Heritage on a common basis with such objects (ie reporting will comply with the timetable within Section 20 of the Museum \& National Trust Act 1959 and no human remains will be removed from the Isle of Man without the explicit agreement of Manx National Heritage in a manner comparable to Section 21 of the Museum \& National Trust Act 1959).

## Assessment of Artefacts and Samples

167. By default the preliminary reporting for each stage will incorporate listing and categorisation of the artefacts recovered, with the artefacts assessed by an appropriate specialist. In addition any artefacts assessed as unstable should be subject to immediate stabilisation work by trained conservators to ensure their safe retention.
168. A subset of the soil samples recovered, focused on those sediments that have been characterised as having palaeo-environmental potential based on field description, will be processed (flotation sieved) and assessed for palaeo-environmental potential. The balance of the bulk soil samples recovered from potentially significant archaeological deposits will be retained un-processed.

### Reporting

Reporting under Section 20 of the Museum \& National Trust Act 1959
169. An inventory of all archaeological objects recovered from the excavation will be presented to Manx National Heritage within fourteen days of the conclusion of the on-site archaeological works. The storage location of these objects will be confirmed at this time.
170. Any archaeological objects constituting treasure under the Treasure Act 2017 will be highlighted within this inventory.
171. A comparable listing of human remains recovered will be submitted at the same time.
172. Should the intention be to remove archaeological objects from the island for their assessment, this is subject to securing a licence under Section 21 of the Museum \& National Trust Act 1959. An application for such should be made at the time of submitting the notification of archaeological objects recovered.
173. As noted above, while human remains are not archaeological objects comparable permission to remove from the island will be sought.

### Preliminary technical reporting

174. The preliminary technical reporting of the on-site works will be as follows:
a. Structure Report presenting the results of the on-site archaeological works and incorporating detailed assessment of the materials recovered. In addition a narrative would explain the character of the archaeology investigated and compare this to comparable archaeology on the Isle of Man;
b. Recommendations for further analysis and publication of significant archaeology encountered presented as a Post-Excavation Research Design; and
c. Preparation of the project archive including finds.
175. The Structure Report detailing the findings of the archaeological works will be prepared within ten weeks of the completion of each main on-site phase of excavation or watching brief (dependant on receiving specialist reports) and will consist of:

a title page detailing site address, site code and accession number, NGR, author/originating body, client's name and address;
full contents listing;
a non-technical summary of the findings of the evaluation;
a description of the topography and geology of the evaluation area;
a description of the methodologies used during the evaluation;
a description of the findings of the evaluation;
site and trench location plans and plans of each of the trenches/areas showing the archaeological features exposed (to include aOD levels);
sections of the excavated archaeological features (to include aOD levels);
interpretation of the archaeological features exposed and their context;
specialist assessment of the artefacts / ecofacts from the site; and
photographs to include general site images and key archaeological features, reproduced at $5^{\prime \prime}$ by $4^{\prime \prime}$.
176. A full draft of the Structure Report will be circulated to the Applicant, Archaeological Consultant and Manx National Heritage for comment. Copies of the finalised Structure Report will be sent to the client for approval and then to the Manx National Heritage and to the Historic Environment Record in both paper and digital form. A digital copy of the report will be supplied to all parties.
177. Following completion of fieldwork and acceptance of the report by Manx National Heritage, an ordered archive of both object and paper elements will be prepared according to the recommendations in Archaeological Archives A guide to best practice in creation, compilation, transfer and curation (Brown 2007) and Standards in the Museum Care of Archaeological Collections (Museums and Galleries Commission 1992). The archive will created in accordance with the Manx Museum deposition and archiving standards.
178. If further fieldwork is expected, the archive shall be stored and transferred to the contractor that undertakes this fieldwork, otherwise it will be submitted to the Manx National Heritage. They shall then combine it with the archive that results from the further fieldwork.

## Progress Updates

179. Written updates of progress will be circulated, normally by e-mail, at the end of each week when on-site works have been undertaken by the archaeological contractor. These will be circulated to the Client, their archaeological consultants and Manx National Heritage.
180. Manx National Heritage will be given notice of when work is due to commence and will be free to visit the site by prior arrangement with the site's manager. They will monitor implementation of the programme of works on behalf of the Planning Authority and evaluate the work being undertaken on site against the methodology detailed in this Written Scheme of Investigation.
181. Manx National Heritage will also be responsible for considering any changes to the specification of works; any such alterations should be agreed in writing with all relevant parties prior to commencement of on-site works, or in exceptional circumstances at the earliest available opportunity.

### Analysis and Publication Methodology

182. Individual Post-Excavation Research Designs will be prepared in conjunction with the Structure Reports. These will have identified the recommended analyses for the recovered material and the structure for the publication and dissemination of results.
183. Should archaeologically significant material be recovered during the on-site works then a

programme of post-excavation analysis of this material will be required to be undertaken. Until the on-site works are complete the exact nature and size of any post excavation works will be unknown. Where archaeologically significant material is recovered then this will be a significant stage of works.
184. To some degree the examination will be led by the nature of the materials recovered. However any work is likely to focus on artefact analysis, palaeo-environmental analysis, radiometric dating and stratigraphic interpretation.
185. The results of the project will be published in an appropriate archaeological journal or monograph should the fieldwork results warrant this. The Manx National Heritage will take the final decision on the requirement for publication. The suitable level of publication will be dependent on the significance of the project results. Meeting the publication costs will be a costed element of the project to be met by the client.
186. Should the material recovered from the site be suitable then a public lecture would also be undertaken to disseminate the findings of the work. Where possible this would be undertaken in conjunction with a local archaeological society.
187. The appropriate post-excavation analyses and publication of results will be undertaken on efficient grouped basis. The relevant Post-Excavation Research Designs will be agreed with the Manx National Heritage. The agreed designs will incorporate a finalised timetable of all remaining works and be integrated into the current version of this Written Scheme of Investigation.
188. The project archive originally prepared during the initial site reporting will be expanded during reporting to cover all new materials generated by the post-excavation and reporting works. The finalised archive would be submitted at the conclusion of the project.
189. The site archive will offered for deposition to Manx National Heritage within 6 months of completion of the work. The archive will be submitted in line with guidelines on archives.

## References

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*Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).*
*Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/11304-malew-part-field-432475-billown-extension/documents/1306127*