Cellmark Heritage

Cellmark Heritage can provide desk-based assessments to ensure the appropriate consideration of archaeology and cultural heritage as environmental factors in line with local, regional, and national planning frameworks. These assessments can form part of development planning applications and include environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and environmental statements (ES). We can also provide environmental management plans for the benefit of landowners and custodians of landscapes with archaeological and cultural heritage significance. Desk-based assessments typically include:

• detailed map regressions,
• aerial photographic analyses,
• documentary research,
• the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) in the analysis of spatial data,
• and reporting of results.

Members of the Cellmark Heritage Team are experienced with working on large-scale infrastructure and development projects and have been responsible for undertaking numerous complex assessments of archaeologically sensitive environments.

Cellmark's familiarity with the planning context, plus a wide range of archaeological specialisms, means we can provide consultation on all aspects of projects involving archaeology and cultural heritage. We can coordinate dialogue between heritage professionals in the planning department, developers and archaeological contractors, to ensure that the stipulations of planning conditions relating to archaeology and cultural heritage are met. Our archaeological consultancy service facilitates the smooth and efficient programming of works to minimise disruption by carefully considering planning obligations and the proportionate scope of work.

Cellmark's specialists in archaeological landscape survey undertake inspections of the ground-surface for indications of sub-surface remains, standing structures and earthworks. Surveys range from the capture and analysis of remote sensing data using UAVs (drones), to walkover surveys of large tracts of land to identify sites of archaeological interest. This enables the extent and character of the archaeological resource to be better understood, in order to inform environmental assessments and landscape management plans.

Our landscape archaeologists each have over 20 years’ experience of undertaking assessments and surveys across a wide range of landscapes, with projects such as:

• the analysis of large tracts of upland and lowland areas measuring tens of square kilometres in numerous Cumbrian valleys,
• the Uplands Initiative for the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), which entailed the survey of hundreds of square kilometres of upland landscapes in North Wales,
• peat restoration projects in the Yorkshire Dales,
• the survey of linear pre-development routes, such as railway, flood defence, road, and pipeline schemes,
• identifying and interpreting the distribution patterns of recorded sites in the context of the topography and the known historical character of the study area.

All sites are recorded and interpreted to the required level of detail depending upon planning requirements or the project brief.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys, also known as drone surveys, are a versatile option for surveying large or inaccessible areas quickly and less intrusively than other survey methods.

In partnership with highly experienced UAV operators, we have developed a complete system for the capture of extremely high-resolution LiDAR. A resolution of less than 7cm² per pixel in woodland can be achieved, compared to other high-resolution LiDAR which provides up to 25cm² per pixel. Other capabilities include photography, 3D modelling through photogrammetry, and multi-spectral imagery.

Using this data we can create 3D or 2D representations of the landscape to the level of detail required, depending on the scale and budget of the project. Our capacity for 3D data capture also allows us to undertake detailed topographic surveys remotely to produce digital elevation models.

Our team has experience with both archaeological landscape analyses and forensic spatial analyses resulting in a highly effective process for identifying, interpreting, and understanding the physical indicators of human activity within the landscape.

We use a Geographic Information System (GIS) to both analyse and map the results of remote sensing surveys as well as producing outputs as digital or hard-copy maps or plans. GIS data files have a high level of compatibility with other systems, simplifying the delivery of results to our clients.

Cellmark Heritage provides topographic surveys that will map the boundaries, features and levels of a site in three dimensions using terrestrial photogrammetry and other digital survey techniques. This can be useful when surveying a small area for which survey by drone would be less appropriate or where there are specific physical, logistic, or legislative restrictions that might prevent the use of UAVs.