Posts by info@oakfordarch.co.uk


Oakford Archaeology carries out a large number of historic building recording projects every year, but the requirements vary hugely. In this blog post we run through the two main types of historic building recording you might require, what they involve and why you might need them. 1. Historic Building Appraisal An appraisal is used to gather evidence for the better understanding of a historic building. It is a non-invasive method of...

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Here’s a short summary of the results of an archaeological evaluation carried out by Oakford Archaeology at Hurst Almshouses, Fairpark Road, Exeter in June 2021. Remains of the medieval leper hospital were uncovered, including parts of the later graveyard and structural remains. Oakford Archaeology carried out a desk based assessment in 2017 at Fairpark Road, Exeter. It highlighted a proposed development as the potential site of...

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Here’s a summary of the results of historic building recording and excavation at Torre Abbey, Torquay, Devon. It was carried out by Oakford Archaeology between June and August 2021. The principal aim of the historic building recording and archaeological excavation was to ensure the adequate recording of any historic fabric exposed. The Oakford Archaeology team aimed to establish the presence or absence, character, depth, extent and...

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We sometimes get asked by clients how an archaeological watching brief differs from an archaeological evaluation. The short answer is that a watching brief is monitoring work carried out during a development or scheme of works. An evaluation is part of preliminary work required either in support of or following determination of your planning application and generally well in advance of any development. Whether you’re asked to...

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Here’s a short summary of the results of an archaeological evaluation in the choir, presbytery and aisles of Exeter Cathedral, Exeter. It was carried out by Oakford Archaeology between January and March 2021. The archaeological evaluation involved the excavation of 21 trenches in the presbytery, choir, choir aisles, retrochoir and crossing of Exeter Cathedral, generally to a depth of 0.5m. No archaeological excavations had...

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This blog post describes archaeological work and desk top assessment investigations carried out by Oakford Archaeology and other heritage organisations which has added to our knowledge of the history of Sidwell Street, Exeter. The ancient parish of St Sidwell lies immediately outside the former East Gate of the City astride one of the principal routes into the Roman fortress, the later Roman town and medieval city. Unlike other...

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Oakford Archaeology monitored a geotechnical borehole survey in September 2019 by Red Rock Geoscience Ltd for Exeter City Council, at Trews Weir, Exeter, Devon. The purpose of this survey was to investigate the causes of the weakening of the structure and the excavation of the boreholes across the length of the weir allowed the recording of the structure and deposits below, providing valuable new information on the construction and...

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Archaeologists work all year round, come rain or shine, on urban and rural sites, in confined spaces or in green open fields, on complex sites with deep stratigraphy or on simple sites with scattered features. In short, an archaeologist needs to be prepared, flexible and ready for anything! In this blog post we thought it might be interesting to share the main tools of the trade – and they may surprise you… 1) Heavy digging tools –...

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Here’s a summary of  the archaeological features and exciting bone and pottery assemblages recently excavated by our archaeological team at Halswell House, Somerset. Oakford Archaeology have been heritage consultants at Halswell House, Goathurst, Somerset since December 2016. Archaeological excavations during the spring of 2019 in the Knot Garden at Halswell House, Somerset revealed a substantial pit a short distance in front of...

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If you’re managing a construction site, want to carry out work on a historic building or have responsibility for heritage assets, the chances are you’ll have already used, or are thinking of working with, a heritage consultant. A heritage consultant is more than just a specialist in historic buildings or below-ground archaeology. As well as providing expert guidance on listed buildings, archaeology and heritage assets, a heritage...

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