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Archaeological Assessment
Many Councils now require Archaeological Assessments to be included
with Development Applications and Integrated Development Applications.
An Archaeological Assessment is a report identifying
archaeological issues associated with a site.
In urban areas types of archaeological remains might include:
early colonial remains, government-related sites,
and evidence of nineteenth-century housing and industry.
In the rural and semi-rural areas, around the outskirts of Greater Sydney,
this may relate to early colonial settlement, convict-related sites,
nineteenth-century houses and inns and roadworks.
Casey & Lowe have written at least 50 archaeological assessments.
Excavation Permit Application (s140 and s60)
A permit to disturb or excavate a relic issued
by the Heritage Council of New South Wales
under Section 60 or Section 140 of the NSW Heritage Act 1977.
A permit requires an assessment of the archaeological
potential and significance of a site, identification
of appropriate recommendations and a Research Design.
Permit application typically take 6 to 8 weeks to process.
Casey & Lowe have written many permit applications.
Research Design
A Research Design is set of questions which can be investigated
using archaeological evidence and a methodology for addressing them.
A research design is intended to ensure that
archaeological investigations focus on genuine research needs.
It is an important tool that ensures that when
archaeological resources are destroyed by excavation,
their information content can be preserved and can
contribute to current and relevant knowledge.
They are a typical requirement of an Excavation Permit Application.
Casey & Lowe have written many research designs.
Archaeological Excavation
An archaeological excavation consists of the methodologies
and techniques used to find, expose and record sub-surface
archaeological evidence. The excavation of a site can involve
the use of large machines to clear away the overburden
above the archaeology and to excavate large deposits
with low archaeological significance.
Once the machine phase is complete the archaeologists
move in with shovels, mattocks and picks to expose
and then clean the remains (with trowels and brushes)
so they can be recorded.
Recording involves an extensive photographic record,
detailed scale plans and sections,
and detailed note-taking on all the information
about the various elements of a site.
The collections, cleaning, sorting or artefacts recovered
during the archaeological program occur at a subsequent stage.
Post-Excavation Phase: This involves the cataloguing of artefacts.
This information is then entered into a computer database.
Field plans have to be inked and annotated for the final report
and photos archived.
A detailed report of the recording of the archaeological program is written,
including analysis of the results as well as a response
to the research design.
Casey & Lowe are a leading director of archaeological excavations
and have directed more than 30 excavation projects including:
- Sydney Conservatorium of Music,
- Sydney City Museum of Contemporary Art,
- The Rocks
- Cross City Tunnel,
- Barkers Mill,
- Darling Harbour
- Former CSR Site (Jacksons Landing), Pyrmont
Archaeological Monitoring
Archaeological monitoring is recommended for those areas
where the impact of the works is not considered
to mean the destruction of significant archaeological fabric.
Nevertheless the disturbance of features both
suspected and unsuspected is possible.
In order to provide for the proper assessment and recording
of these features an archaeologist should inspect
the site works at intervals they consider to be adequate
and to be "at call" in case the contractor uncovers remains
that should be assessed by the archaeologist.
Archaeological monitoring requires a s140 approval
from the NSW Heritage Council.
Casey & Lowe have undertaken numerous monitoring programs.
Archaeological Survey
Archaeological surveys are often undertaken as part of
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS),
Review of Environmental Factor (REF),
and Development Applications (DA or IDA) for semi-rural properties.
They involve historical research, review of aerial photos,
maps and plans, site survey, analysis and assessment
of heritage significance,
identification of opportunities and constraints.
Casey & Lowe have undertaken a range of archaeological surveys e.g.:
- Bells Line of Road (SKM, RTA)
- Menangle Park (APP, Dept Housing, Landcom)
- Former ADI Site, St Marys (Delfin Lend Lease)
- Rouse Hill Infrastructure, Stages 1, 2, 3 (RHI P/L)
- Western Sydney Orbital (RTA)
- SEPP 59 Lands, Eastern Creek (Blacktown Council)
Archaeological Zoning Plan
An archaeological zoning plan can be done for a single site,
for a Council area or for a suburb.
The end result is a graphic representation of areas
containing archaeological sites
and their likely heritage significance.
We have carried out Zoning Plans for:
- Liverpool CBD (Liverpool Council)
- Rydalmere Campus, University of Western Sydney (Tanner Architects)
- St Patricks, Manly (Tanner Architects)
- Gladesville Hospital (Tanner Architects)
- Rozelle Hospital (Tanner Architects)
Archaeological Management Plan/Strategy
This type of report results in an overview of how to manage
the archaeological resource within a specific area.
Typically the type of resource is considered to be significant
and potential extensive impacts are involved.
Casey & Lowe have written a number of
Archaeological Management Strategies e.g.:
- Sydney Conservatorium of Music
(former DPWS, now Dept of Commerce)
- Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks
(Lend Lease, City of Sydney Council)
- Tempe House, Arncliffe (Tanner Architects)
- Civic Place, Parramatta (Parramatta City Council)
Statement of Heritage Impacts
Reviews impacts on known archaeological sites
or heritage items in light of a proposed development.
Need to review heritage significance,
how the item will be affected by the proposed development,
the impact on the significance of the item
by the proposed works
and identify ways in which the impact can be mitigated.
Industrial Archaeology
We work on a limited range of industrial archaeology projects,
such as roads, buried industrial sites, dockyards,
small scale foundries, brick and pottery works,
water-supply related sites, and flour and water mills.
Aboriginal or Indigenous Archaeology
Casey & Lowe specialise in historical or Non-Indigenous Archaeology.
While we do not undertake Indigenous archaeological projects
we consistently work with a number of archaeologists
who specialise in Aboriginal site archaeology.
We can project manage this work or provide
clients with recommendations for suitable consultants.
Heritage
Desktop surveys of heritage items
Desktop surveys are often undertaken as part of an EIS or REF
and a survey requires the identification of all known heritage items,
identified on relevant Local Environmental Plans (LEP),
Regional Environmental Plans (REP)
the State Heritage Register (SHR),
Register of the National Estate and National Trust
and statutory issues associated with the types of items.
May require identification of impacts from a proposed development.
Casey & Lowe have completed a number of these types of reports.
Archival Recording
Detailed recording of standing structures, including plans, sections,
and photographic record.
Public Interpretation
Archaeology and/or Heritage Displays
The NSW Heritage Council frequently requires the results of
an archaeological program to be interpreted
within a new development as part of achieving public outcomes.
Casey & Lowe have worked on these types of projects;
typically identifying appropriate themes,
providing the text and images and choosing the artefacts.
This is done as part of a team with an interpretation specialist
and designer experienced in heritage interpretation.
Notable sites on which Casey & Lowe have provided
archaeological interpretation advice:
- Conservatorium of Music
- Meriton Apartments, cnr George & Charles Streets, Parramatta
- Parramatta Children's Court
Advice
Identification of Archaeological and Heritage Issues
Clients frequently ring us to advise them on
the archaeological requirements and we can organise
to discuss requirements with the NSW Heritage Office and/or local council.
Explanation of Archaeological Issues
Heritage and archaeological legislation in NSW is complicated
and it is difficult for clients to be across
all areas or to understand what certain conditions mean.
Because of our extensive experience and expertise
we can demystify the process by explaining,
in plain English, conditions of consent, relevant provisions
of the NSW Heritage Act 1977, suggest which sections of the Act
are relevant to a particular project
and recommend an appropriate course of action.
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