Type III fun: archaeology and infrastructure
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 12/02/2021

Whether you love it or loathe it, infrastructure work across the UK has had wide-ranging effects on the archaeological industry. This is true for larger units partaking in the large scale projects; smaller units mopping up the smaller non-infrastructure projects; or for the individual archaeologist who has managed a number of years continuous employment. For all of the positive outcomes of this work though, there have undoubtedly been some compromises made.

This paper will focus on the people involved in infrastructure projects, and how the day-to-day working of contract archaeology has changed. Drawing on examples from past and present infrastructure projects we will explore the challenges faced by those in the archaeological community who try to fit within the wider world of infrastructure projects; and how infrastructure work has adapted to the archaeological community. The aim will be to showcase how archaeologists, clients and contractors have all adopted new approaches to the work they undertake; how these new approaches have changed the knowledge gain, value and treatment of archaeology; and how this can all be taken forward in the future.

JESSICA BRYAN, MOLA