About Us

Wessex Archaeology is one of the largest and most experienced archaeological practices in the UK, providing high quality, cost effective support to a wide range of businesses and heritage organisations.

  From preliminary advice and desk-based site assessments, to comprehensive fieldwork and post-excavation reporting, our approach is innovative and highly professional, committed to achieving the best solutions for each individual client.

Employing more than 100 highly quality staff, we provide complete archaeological support in areas such as housing developments, road schemes, railway and airport projects and gravel extraction - anywhere which has the potential for significant archaeological remains.

Why is Wessex Archaeology different?

• Clear understanding of clients' needs

• 

  Prompt yet considered response

• Comprehensive, quality service

• Unparalleled structure and skill base

• A trusted name

• Pro-active and flexible approach through close working partnerships

At Wessex Archaeology we are passionately committed to archaeological excellence, but within a modern context, recognising the needs of an increasingly challenging and rapidly evolving business environment. This demands that we work quickly and efficiently to achieve first class results within agreed timeframes and budgets.

We Offer

Wessex Archaeology is unrivalled in its ability to provide innovative, high quality support through a range of specialist services. In addition to a complete service for desk-based and fieldwork tasks we offer:

• Environmental impact assessment

• Standing building surveys

• Historic landscape assessment

• Underwater archaeology consultancy, project management and fieldwork

• Coastal studies

• Heritage management and conservation plans

• Human remains analysis

• Palaeo-environmental consultancy and analysis

• Specialist illustration, including reconstruction and CAD - graphics

• Support with educational and community projects

Depth of Support

Because of the unparalleled size and quality of our skill base, we are capable of meeting all of a client's archaeological needs, from the provision of initial consultancy advice to full investigation and publication.

Our particular strength is in effective client liason between the Local Planning Authority, national government agencies, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and other professional bodies. As an active part of the client team we will ensure that potential archaeological issues can be anticipated and managed with the minimum of disruption.

Following the completion of the fieldwork project, we will:

- Deliver professional, detailed technical reports to satisfy planning and management requirements and provide a permanent record for the client.

- Create further accounts of the project, as required, such as video and CD.

- Assist in local and national PR initiatives.

Above all, because of our extensive experience and knowledge of archaeological issues, we can assist with on-going advice regarding archaeological reponsibilities throughout the planning process, supporting and advising the client at every stage...

Wessex Archaeology Managing Quality

Although we aim to derive the greatest archaeological benefit from every opportunity, we recognise that major considerations in any project are quality and cost-effectiveness.

Once an archaeological response has been deemed necessary, we undertake work within a closely defined budget and to a fixed programme.

Moreover, we are able to work quickly and effieciently, fully integrated within our client's team. This ensures that essential project work can continue uninterrupted.

Close liason between project manager and client ensures that issues such as quality control, timescales and costs are under constant scrutiny.

Wessex Archaeology One to One - Good Communications

Clear communications are essential in any working relationship, and we recognise the value that clients place on close personal contact at every level of a project.

For this reason we appoint a project manager to oversee each individual piece of work, however large or small, from start through to completion.

Close supervision by senior staff and strict accountablity ensure that high standards of quality control are maintained.

As an organisation registered with the Institute of Field Archaeologists we fully endorse their codes of conduct and professional standards.