Project Archaeology

We specialise in the design, procurement and management of archaeological investigations, mitigation and post-mitigation works. We are a recognised market leader in undertaking the role of Project Archaeologist, successfully providing this service on numerous projects for clients in both Ireland and the UK, including the Office of Public Works (OPW), Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, local authorities, Transport Scotland, Jacobs, RPS and Roughan & O’Donovan (ROD).

Project Archaeologist services include:

  • preparing archaeological investigation and mitigation strategies and specifications;
  • contract preparation and procurement, including overseeing tender processes for archaeological works;
  • obtaining the necessary licences to undertake archaeological excavation and monitoring;
  • management of excavation and post-excavation works; and
  • liaison with statutory authorities, local authorities, landowners and other stakeholders.

As Project Archaeologists, we act as the clients’ representative, overseeing the work of the archaeological contractor on behalf of the client. In effect, we provide the client with in-house archaeological expertise for the duration of the project. As such, we aim to ensure cost and programme certainty and certainty of contractual outcomes. Our procedures have led to considerable cost and programme savings for many of our clients.

Our primary objectives are to facilitate the smooth running of heritage-related activities and ensure completion of all archaeological works, including site excavations, within agreed budgets and timeframes and preferably in advance of the commencement of construction. Our goals are to minimise our clients’ exposure to archaeological risk and consequential costs, and to maximise the value-for-money of services delivered by archaeological consultants.

We also seek to ensure that whatever new information is obtained through archaeological investigations will be made accessible to the public through publication and community outreach, and therefore be of demonstrable public benefit.

Our consultants have considerable experience managing the heritage aspects of small and large-scale public and private sector developments, including major infrastructure projects. Three staff members previously worked ‘client side’ as Project Archaeologists with the National Roads Authority (now Transport Infrastructure Ireland), while another successfully ran his own consultancy overseas, working on some of the world’s largest mining projects.