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archaeoWISe.exploration Key Benefits     Documents middle-sized remains or sites     2 weeks to 3 months duration     Adaptive strategy     Fast implementation     Reliable results

Description

archaeoWISe.exploration are advised for a more detailed documentation of mid-sized archaeological remains or sites. In most cases, we proposes an archaeoWISe.exploration at the end of a small scale archaeoWISe.characterization campaign if the observed remains are larger and historically more important than initially expected, and especially if the remains or sites are menaced by an immediate destruction threat. In order to develop a thorough scientific documentation, the archaeoWISe team involved in the exploration campaign needs longer time than for a simple characterization capaign. Usually, and depending on the nature of the site, an archaeoWISe.exploration has a duration of 2 to 12 weeks. Its main goal is to document the remains in descriptive archaeological and importance terms, to physically explore its archaeological potential, and to develop sustainable solutions against the threats faced by the site. Such intervention is necessary whenever archaeologically characterized mid-sized remains are facing destruction in a local development context (building yard, active erosion area, surveying, etc).

Request and preliminary information

In many cases, the threatened remains have already undergone some kind of archaeological description in a more or less recent past. The information provided by such preliminary observation is invaluable for preparing and organizing the logistics of a necessary archaeoWISe.exploration campaign. If applicable, a few days will be used by archaeoWISe at its base office to extract and process all the available archaeological information about the threatened site prior to the campaign start. This guarantees the most suited strategy for the specific setting. Of course, all additional information transmitted by local observers are a welcomed complement. Transmitting such first-hand information, ideally accompanied by explicit illustrations, can be done by all possible communication means (e-mail, phone, fax). Digital photography is actually the easiest way to give an overview of the state of preservation or eventual damages.

Preparation

Once archaeoWISe has processed the preliminary information, we start the development of adapted strategic procedures. We consult external specialists and scholar for advice and include their proposals into our strategy. Once the intervention goals are clearly defined, we set up the logistics in terms of workmanship, technical, and material means. Contacts with external laboratory specialists are taken to organize a fast transfer of samples to appropriate laboratories (dendrochronological or radiocarbon dating, sediment analyses, botanical analyses, zoological and other sample determinations, etc).

In addition to this, as soon as the archaeoWISe team is working on site, our base office continues to compile all available document resources which could be helpful for the interpretation of the archaeological discoveries undergoing.

Implementation

For archaeoWISe.exploration campaigns, we usually mandate:

•     one archaeologist,
•     one specialist of a specific research field (often a sedimentologist or a restorator),
•     up to three specialized assistants.

The team is sent as rapidly as possible to the discovery site and immediately start the excavation and documentary work for site exploration. In most cases, the campaign's duration is 2 to 12 weeks, depending on the nature of the archaeological discovery. 

For productivity purposes, the archaeoWISe team tries to hire local labor force whenever possible. In archaeoWISe.exploration campaings, the adapted number of additional workers is 4 to 12. archaeoWISe pays wages which are adapted to local labor conditions, but we also reserve the right to reward skilled workmanship with adapted bonuses.

Procedures applied in the field are:

•     Discovery description
•     Archaeological testing in site vicinity to acknowledge site extension
•     Exploration through section excavations and test-pits
•     Archaeological documentation of the site and findings
•     Detailed description of features within the site
•     Sampling for dating and analyses
•     On-site preliminary report redaction

During an archaeoWISe.exploration campaign, our team works 6 days per week on a base of 9 daily hours (8 hours in the field and 1 hour journal editing). For an intervention planed to exceed 8 weeks, a two days vacation is placed between the 8^th and 9^th week.

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Copyright © 2001 Archaeology Worldwide Intervention Service
Last modified: May 30, 2001