FCERM and the Historic Environment

World-class expertise, delivered nationwide

Wessex Archaeology is the UK’s leading archaeology and heritage company, and an expert in delivering effective, integrated solutions to the unique archaeological and heritage challenges encountered by flood and coastal erosion management schemes.

We offer a complete range of specialist archaeological and heritage services in-house. With nearly 400 expert staff across five UK offices, we have the capacity to meet our clients’ needs across all terrestrial, intertidal and marine environments, wherever your scheme might be.

Integrated, safe, sustainable solutions

With early engagement, we can integrate with your project team and wider supply chain to deliver a streamlined, targeted solution. By utilising the latest technological and remote-sensing methods we can increase survey efficiency, minimise person-time in hazardous environments and manage environmental impact.

Engaging communities and delivering lasting value

We are proud to be leading the way in using the embedded value of archaeology and heritage to help our clients work towards their wider project ambitions; whether related to delivering community benefits linked to wellbeing, inclusion and sense of place, or providing an appreciation of flood-risk and the need for a scheme in the context of landscape change over time and wider scheme narrative.

We’d be delighted to discuss how we can work closely with you to identify, target and design-in added value to your projects, helping attract partners and funding, and delivering measurable legacy benefits linked, where appropriate, to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Click here to learn more about our Sustainability Strategy and our commitment to Net Zero by 2030.

Case Studies

Boston Barrier, Lincolnshire: The Environment Agency

Working closely with the NEAS team in 2017-19, Wessex Archaeology designed an innovative solution using UAV survey, photogrammetric hulk recording, geoarchaeological auger survey and deposit modelling to de-risk the site and record key heritage assets whilst minimising exposure of personnel to dangerous environments. During construction, two phases of specialist watching brief were carried out to enable uninterrupted construction dredging and cofferdam installation, and geoarchaeological monitoring of the excavation works between the pile walls for tie rod installation along the south bank of The Witham River.

The project design was circulated within Environment Agency as example of best practice.

Moors at Arne, Dorset: Kier Construction & the SW CDT

Working as part of the SW Collaborative Delivery Team alongside Atkins and Kier, Wessex Archaeology have undertaken archaeological and palaeoenvironmental investigation at Arne since 2018, where the Environment Agency, RSPB and Natural England are working together to ameliorate the effects of sea level rise within the Poole Harbour basin.

With archaeologists working in close collaboration with Ground Investigation teams to gather key data without additional site impact, the Moors at Arne provides an example of innovation, best practice and collaboration to deliver a minimally intrusive solution alongside considerable environmental knowledge-gain and community benefit.

**Salisbury River Park, The Ripple Effect, Wiltshire:** The Environment Agency

The Ripple Effect is a bespoke project for the Environment Agency, designed by our Heritage Inclusion Development specialists to further amplify the social value and community benefits of the Salisbury River Park scheme and its lasting legacy of riverside green space and urban wildlife habitat which the people of Salisbury and its visitors will enjoy.

The Ripple Effect is a creative heritage project designed to tell the story of Salisbury’s relationship with the River Avon over time through people, place and purpose. It will improve people’s wellbeing through positive engagement with the local environment, the community and each other, and engage people across all generations through walks, workshops, creative moments and shared experiences.